Researchers Say Spinach and Blueberries Improve the Mental Abilities of Rats

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

While we are not rats, this result is still very interesting as both spinach and

blueberries score highly on the ORAC

(natural anti-oxidant) rating. Spinach also is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and

most other nutrients.

 

We now use spinach leaves in place of lettuce due to the richer nutrient density

of spinach. Raw baby spinach leaves

are delicious!

 

http://www.scisoc.org/aacc/FuncFood/content/releases/PR-High%20ORAC.htm

Top-Scoring Fruits and Vegetables

 

ORAC units per 100 grams (about 3 ½ ounces)

 

Prunes 5770

Raisins 2830

Blueberries 2400

Blackberries 2036

Kale 1770

Strawberries 1540

Spinach 1260

Raspberries 1220

Brussels sprouts 980

Plums 949

Alfalfa sprouts 930

Broccoli flowers 890

Beets 840

Oranges 750

Red grapes 739

Red bell pepper 710

Cherries 670

Kiwi fruit 602

Grapefruit, pink 483

Onion 450

Corn 400

Eggplant 390

 

http://www.lef.org/news/aging/2001/11/13/eng-canadianp_health/eng-canadianp_heal\

th_030208_117_594606257044.html

Researchers Say Spinach and Blueberries Improve the Mental Abilities of Rats

Canadian Press

November 13, 2001

 

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Studies exploring the effects of specific foods on the brains

of animals found that diets rich in

spinach and blueberries may help stave off age-related declines in rats' mental

abilities.

 

Rats fed a diet rich in spinach reversed a normal loss of learning that occurs

with age, according to a study by

researchers at the University of South Florida. The study was presented at the

Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting

in San Diego this week.

 

Rats fed a normal diet that contained two per cent freeze-dried spinach learned

to associate the sound of a tone with an

oncoming puff of air faster than those fed regular rat chow, the study found.

The test measured the interval between the

sound of the tone and when the rats blinked.

 

The experiment was designed to test the ability to associate two distinct but

related events, a skill that has been

shown to decline with age in rodents, rabbits and humans.

 

Spinach is rich in antioxidants, which scientists say can block the effects of

free radicals. Studies suggest the

lifelong accumulation of free radicals in the brain is linked to mental declines

in old age and is also a probable

factor in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

 

" This is a preclinical finding of significant interest that now needs to be

tested in humans, " said Dr. Paula Bickford

of the University of South Florida, an author of the study.

 

Blueberries are also rich in antioxidants. A study by researchers at the

University of Houston at Clear Lake and the

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico found that blueberries may help fight

age-related declines in rats' memories.

 

Aging rats that were fed a blueberry-supplemented diet for four months tested as

well as younger rats in their abilities

to recognize objects after an hour. Aging rats fed a normal diet failed to

recognize the objects.

 

" This complete deficit was fully alleviated by diet, " said Dr. David Malin of

the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

 

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Good Health & Long Life,

Greg Watson,

gowatson