Alzheimer’s patients may get relief from symptoms by eating this food: Study

Are pomegranates the next brain food?

The link between diet and dementia is well documented, and now researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the US National Institute on Aging have found that eating more pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts may improve the memory of Alzheimer’s patients.

These foods contain a substance called urolithin A, a compound produced by gut bacteria.

“Our study on mice with Alzheimer’s disease shows that urolithin A, a naturally occurring substance in pomegranates, can reduce memory problems and other consequences of dementia,” Vilhelm Bohr, an affiliated professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, said in a press release.

In patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, the brain has trouble clearing damaged mitochondria, which accumulate and impair brain function.

Researchers found that Utolithin A is able to remove damaged mitochondria from the brain, thereby restoring cognitive function.

The study findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Researchers do not yet know how much of this substance is needed to achieve positive results.

“We still can’t say anything conclusive about the dosage, but my guess is it’s more than one pomegranate per day,” Bohr said.

“However, this substance is already available in pill form, and we are currently trying to find the right dosage.”

He said that Utolithin A can be used as a safe way to prevent neurological diseases.

“The advantage of working with a natural substance is that it reduces the risk of side effects,” he said.

“The clinical trials done with urolithin A have been effective in muscle disease, and now we need to focus on Alzheimer’s disease.”

Based on the “promising results” seen in the rat model, the researchers plan to conduct clinical trials on humans.

Tanya Frerichs, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, was not involved in the study but shared comments on the findings.

“Long-term urolithin A treatment significantly improved learning, memory and olfactory function (smelling) in mice,” he told Fox News Digital.

“As a dietitian, I always recommend people discuss any supplements with their personal medical care provider before starting them.”

Since this research is still very new and has only been done on mice so far, Frerichs said its results “can’t definitely be applied to humans.”

She said, “I would definitely recommend to everyone that it is a good idea to include pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts in the diet.”

“These are whole, unprocessed and very nutritious foods, rich in antioxidants and, in the case of walnuts, omega 3s too.”

Frerichs said these foods are unlikely to cause any harm if eaten in normal amounts, unless there is an allergy to them or another specific reason to avoid them.

According to Frerichs, other recommended foods for brain health include adequate dietary intake of omega 3 (salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, olive oil), green leafy vegetables, berries and legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas).

Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and keeping the brain sharp through activities and community involvement may also help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, the nutritionist said.

Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based dietitian and author of the book “Belly Fat Diet for Dummies,” who was not involved in the study, said the “promising” results support other research that has found a link between pomegranates and improved cognition and memory.

“More research needs to be done to determine exactly how much is needed to achieve cognitive benefits, but including even small amounts of pomegranate in the diet may be beneficial for overall health,” he told Fox News Digital.

Pomegranates are also rich in antioxidants and fiber, which may help reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of future disease, Palinski-Wade said.

“Tossing pomegranate seeds into salads, smoothies or yogurt, or adding 100% pomegranate juice can be a great addition to your diet and an easy way to increase your overall intake of brain-benefiting nutrients,” the nutritionist said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers and the Alzheimer’s Association for comment.