Cranberries May Support Memory and Brain Health, Study Finds

Key Takeaways

A cup of cranberries a day may support memory and brain health while also lowering"bad" cholesterol, according to a new study published inFrontiers in Nutrition.

Cranberries containflavonoids, a type of anti-inflammatory phytonutrient found in fruits, vegetables, grains, wine, and tea.Research suggests that flavonoids may protect against cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The study participants, aged between 50 and 80, showed significant improvements in visual episodic memory and circulation of nutrients in the brain from consuming cranberry extract.

Vauzour said that the discrepancies between the two studies could be attributed to the duration of the trials and the type of cranberry product used.

The new study was conducted over the course of 12 weeks and tested a powder made from freeze-dried cranberries, while the 2005 study only lasted six weeks and used cranberry juice.

Should You Start Taking Cranberry Supplement?

The study participants were given a daily allotment of freeze-dried cranberry powder—made from whole cranberries—equivalent to one cup of fresh cranberries.

Angel Planells, MS, RDN, a Seattle-based registered dietitian, said that people might miss out on the fiber and hydration from whole cranberries if they opt for cranberry powder instead.

Since cranberry is rich in oxalate, it could increase the chance of developing kidney stones and it may interact with medications like aspirin or warfarin.

How Was the Study Conducted?

More than six million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.There is no known cure so the current focus is on treatment and prevention. Many researchers believe that certain dietary and lifestyle factors could influence the development of dementia.

While this new study was dubbed “long-term,” it only lasted 12 weeks.It only included 60 participants and some were unable to complete the baseline and follow-up MRI scans due to pandemic restrictions.However, Vauzour said his team was still able to obtain cognitive data and biological samples with the help of remote testing and mail service.

It is not uncommon for the food industry to fund nutrition research. A 2018 review of the original studies published in the top nutrition journals found that over 13% received food industry funding.

What This Means For YouFreeze-dried cranberry powder and cranberry supplements are available on the market. Before including these in your diet, speak with a trusted healthcare provider about your health risks. Most cranberry supplements are marketed for urinary tract health and scientists are still learning the full extent of the benefits for brain health.

What This Means For You

Freeze-dried cranberry powder and cranberry supplements are available on the market. Before including these in your diet, speak with a trusted healthcare provider about your health risks. Most cranberry supplements are marketed for urinary tract health and scientists are still learning the full extent of the benefits for brain health.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Flanagan E, Cameron D, Sobhan R, et al.Chronic consumption of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) for 12 weeks improves episodic memory and regional brain perfusion in healthy older adults: A randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups feasibility study.Front Nutr. 2022;9. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.849902Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: An overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41Shishtar E, Rogers GT, Blumberg JB, Au R, Jacques PF.Long-term dietary flavonoid intake and risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias in the Framingham Offspring Cohort.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2020;112(2):343-353. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa079Crews WD, Harrison DW, Griffin ML, et al.A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the neuropsychologic efficacy of cranberry juice in a sample of cognitively intact older adults: Pilot study findings.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2005;11(2):305-309. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.305U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dietary supplements.Mount Sinai Health Library.Cranberry information.Alzheimer’s Association.2022 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?Sacks G, Riesenberg D, Mialon M, Dean S, Cameron AJ.The characteristics and extent of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed research articles from 10 leading nutrition-related journals in 2018.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243144

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Flanagan E, Cameron D, Sobhan R, et al.Chronic consumption of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) for 12 weeks improves episodic memory and regional brain perfusion in healthy older adults: A randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups feasibility study.Front Nutr. 2022;9. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.849902Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: An overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41Shishtar E, Rogers GT, Blumberg JB, Au R, Jacques PF.Long-term dietary flavonoid intake and risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias in the Framingham Offspring Cohort.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2020;112(2):343-353. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa079Crews WD, Harrison DW, Griffin ML, et al.A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the neuropsychologic efficacy of cranberry juice in a sample of cognitively intact older adults: Pilot study findings.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2005;11(2):305-309. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.305U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dietary supplements.Mount Sinai Health Library.Cranberry information.Alzheimer’s Association.2022 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?Sacks G, Riesenberg D, Mialon M, Dean S, Cameron AJ.The characteristics and extent of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed research articles from 10 leading nutrition-related journals in 2018.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243144

Flanagan E, Cameron D, Sobhan R, et al.Chronic consumption of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) for 12 weeks improves episodic memory and regional brain perfusion in healthy older adults: A randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups feasibility study.Front Nutr. 2022;9. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.849902Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: An overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41Shishtar E, Rogers GT, Blumberg JB, Au R, Jacques PF.Long-term dietary flavonoid intake and risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias in the Framingham Offspring Cohort.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2020;112(2):343-353. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa079Crews WD, Harrison DW, Griffin ML, et al.A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the neuropsychologic efficacy of cranberry juice in a sample of cognitively intact older adults: Pilot study findings.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2005;11(2):305-309. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.305U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dietary supplements.Mount Sinai Health Library.Cranberry information.Alzheimer’s Association.2022 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?Sacks G, Riesenberg D, Mialon M, Dean S, Cameron AJ.The characteristics and extent of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed research articles from 10 leading nutrition-related journals in 2018.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243144

Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR.Flavonoids: An overview.J Nutr Sci. 2016;5:e47. doi:10.1017/jns.2016.41

Shishtar E, Rogers GT, Blumberg JB, Au R, Jacques PF.Long-term dietary flavonoid intake and risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias in the Framingham Offspring Cohort.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2020;112(2):343-353. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa079

Crews WD, Harrison DW, Griffin ML, et al.A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the neuropsychologic efficacy of cranberry juice in a sample of cognitively intact older adults: Pilot study findings.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2005;11(2):305-309. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.305

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dietary supplements.

Mount Sinai Health Library.Cranberry information.

Alzheimer’s Association.2022 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.

Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?

Sacks G, Riesenberg D, Mialon M, Dean S, Cameron AJ.The characteristics and extent of food industry involvement in peer-reviewed research articles from 10 leading nutrition-related journals in 2018.PLOS ONE. 2020;15(12). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243144

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Key Takeaways#

Should You Start Taking Cranberry Supplement?#

How Was the Study Conducted?#

What This Means For You#

Key Takeaways

Should You Start Taking Cranberry Supplement?

How Was the Study Conducted?

What This Means For You