Berry boost

By taking advantage of summer’s glut of fresh berries, you could help to boost your brain, too. According to a study in scientific journal PLOS One, people performed better in memory tests after consuming a mix of strawberries, blueberries and blackcurrants, while researchers at Reading University found that those who drank a blueberry smoothie in the morning were better at mental tasks in the afternoon than those who had a different drink. For older people, regular consumption appears to reduce cognitive decline, according to a study in Annals of Neurology. It’s thought that berries, which are rich in flavonoids, may help by improving blood flow to the brain and encouraging the growth of new brain cells.