"Drinking concentrated blueberry juice improves brain function in older people according to research by the University of Exeter.  In the study healthy people aged  who drank concentrated blueberry juice every day showed improvements in cognitive function blood flow to the brain and activation of the brain while carrying out cognitive tests.  There was also evidence suggesting improvement in working memory.  Blueberries are rich in flavonoids which possess antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.  Dr Joanna Bowtell head of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter said Our cognitive function tends to decline as we get older but previous research has shown that cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plantbased foods.  In this study we have shown that with just  weeks of consuming ml of concentrated blueberry juice every day brain blood flow brain activation and some aspects of working memory were improved in this group of healthy older adults.  Of the  healthy adults in the study  were given concentrated blueberry juice  providing the equivalent of g of blueberries  once a day while  received a placebo.  Before and after the week period participants took a range of cognitive tests while an MRI scanner monitored their brain function and resting brain blood flow was measured.  Compared to the placebo group those who took the blueberry supplement showed significant increases in brain activity in brain areas related to the tests.  The study excluded anyone who said they consumed more than five portions of fruit and vegetables per day and all participants were told to stick to their normal diet throughout.  Previous research has shown that risk of dementia is reduced by higher fruit and vegetable intake and cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plantbased foods.  Flavonoids which are abundant in plants are likely to be an important component in causing these effects.  The new paper Enhanced taskrelated brain activation and resting perfusion in healthy older adults after chronic blueberry supplementation is published in the journal Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism.  The research was carried out in association with the University of the West of England and the concentrated blueberry juice BlueberryActive and some funding for the study was provided by CherryActive Ltd which produces cherry beetroot and blueberry products in concentrate and capsule form.  The study was also supported by the charity BRACE which raises funds to support dementia research."