A small clinical study, completed by the researchers from the University of Delaware in Newark, suggests that older adults who regularly drink tart cherry juice may improve cognitive function.

For the study, the researchers included 37 volunteers with normal cognitive function aged between 65 and 80 years. Study participants were divided into two groups, where the first group drank 2 cups of tart cherry juice daily for 12 weeks and another group received a placebo drink.

Lead researcher Sheau Ching Chai, an assistant professor of behavioral health and nutrition comments the results of the study: “Cognitive function is a key determinant of independence and quality of life among older adults. The potential beneficial effects of tart cherries may be related to the bioactive compounds they possess, which include polyphenols, anthocyanins, and melanin.”