Strawberries, Cognition, and Vascular Health

Impact of Strawberries on Cognition, and Vascular and Cardiometabolic Markers in Older Healthy Adults

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of strawberries on cognitive responses, motor control function, and vascular and cardiometabolic risk markers in healthy older adults.

To achieve the objectives, 40 healthy men and women ≥65 years of age will consume 26 g of freeze-dried strawberries in the form of a drink-mix daily for 8 wk. Using a randomized crossover study design, the effects will be compared to the effects of 8 wk intake of a placebo drink-mix (with a 4 wk wash-out period between trials). Cognitive function measurements will be performed at baseline and 8 wk. Additionally, at each timepoint, flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure will be measured followed by collection of fasting blood samples to assess glucose, insulin, blood lipids (free fatty acids, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), inflammatory markers (interleukins 6 and 18), and markers of oxidative stress (oxidized LDL-C and malondialdehyde).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women 65 years and older

Exclusion Criteria:

• stroke or myocardial infarction
• neurological disorders:
• epilepsy,
• multiple sclerosis,
• Parkinson's disease,
• stroke
• known metabolic disorders:
• liver,
• renal
• clinically diagnosed diabetes
• drug treatment for lipid reduction or hypertension,
• psychiatric medication use