Premium
Tart Cherry Juice Improves Visual Sustained Attention and Subjective Memory Ability in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Chai Sheau C,
Davis Kristina,
Wright Regina S,
Zhang Zugui,
Luo Jing,
Lee Krystal
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.298.1
Subject(s) - placebo , cognition , oxidative stress , medicine , visual memory , analysis of variance , cognitive decline , psychology , psychiatry , dementia , alternative medicine , disease , pathology
Tart cherries or their bioactive components have been shown to improve neuronal‐behavioral performance and decrease levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers. However, the ability of tart cherries to improve cognitive function in older adults has not been investigated. Hence, a randomized placebo‐controlled trial was conducted to evaluate whether older adults consuming 16 fluid ounces (fl. oz) of tart cherry juice daily for 12 weeks would improve cognitive function. Thirty‐seven (N=37) older adults between the ages of 65–80 years were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to consume tart cherry juice or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Subjective memory and objective cognitive performance was assessed using a validated questionnaire and a standardized battery of tests. Fasting blood samples were also collected to measure oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Statistical analysis was performed using a nonparametric one‐way ANOVA with Wilcoxon in SAS Version 9.2. Our findings indicate that perception of everyday memory ability ( P =0.0268) and visual sustained attention ( P <0.0001) increased significantly in the tart cherry group, as compared to the placebo group, from baseline to posttest. 8‐oxoguanine glycosylase, a DNA glycosylate enzyme that are necessary for the excision 8‐oxoguanine and repair of a damaged DNA was significantly increased in the tart cherry group compared with the placebo group. Inflammatory markers were not altered by tart cherry juice or placebo. The findings of the present study suggest that tart cherry juice may improve cognitive function through its anti‐oxidative properties. Support or Funding Information Cherry Marketing Institute