A new randomized, controlled study, the results of which were published in Nutrients, finds that middle-aged people with overweight who regularly eat strawberries are better protected from cognitive decline and depression later in life.
The trial was a small randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and included 5 male and 25 female participants. All participants were divided into two groups, one of which consumed strawberry powder, while another received a placebo. The trial continued for 12 weeks.
Having analyzed the collected data, the researchers found that middle-aged adults with overweight and insulin resistance who consumed strawberries for 12 weeks experienced a reduction in memory interference and depression.
Michelle Routhenstein, RD, CDE, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian who was not involved in the study, comments on the nutritional benefits of strawberries: “Frozen strawberries are as nutritious as fresh strawberries, and oftentimes may be tastier and more convenient to consume given their seasonal nature. It is best to thaw them naturally, like in the refrigerator overnight, to avoid destroying the vitamin C content when it is exposed to heat, such as when microwaving.”