Concord grape juice may help aging memory

CONCORD, Mass., June 3 (UPI) -- A pilot study suggests drinking Concord grape juice may benefit older adults dealing with early memory decline, a University of Cincinnati researcher says.

Robert Krikorian of UC's College of Medicine says the placebo-controlled human study investigated whether regular consumption of polyphenol-rich food or beverage could have beneficial effects against age-related cognitive decline.

The study involved 12 adults with early memory decline. Participants drank a total of 15 to 21 ounces, depending on body weight, of either Concord grape juice or placebo daily, divided among meals, for a 12-week period.

The beverages were equal in calorie and sugar content, but only the Concord grape juice contained natural polyphenolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Krikorian says.

Participants who drank the Concord grape juice showed significant improvement in list learning and trends suggests improved short-term retention and spatial memory, the study says.

The findings were presented at the 38th annual scientific meeting of the American Aging Society in Boulder, Colo.