Brainberry: Solabia Nutrition’s aronia extract boosts memory and brain vascular function

Solabia Nutrition has released clinical evidence backing its Brainberry ingredient’s support for spatial working memory and brain vascular function. The cognitive health supplement is based on an extract of the aronia “Nero Eggert” variety and is standardized for 25% cyanidins.

The new study builds on previous human clinical trials demonstrating Brainberry’s benefits for cognitive performance, including improvements in psychomotor speed and attention. It was conducted in the Netherlands by Solabia Nutrition’s internal R&D team in collaboration with Maastricht University.

“As cognitive performance becomes an increasingly important health marker in aging populations, the ability to accurately measure changes in memory and executive function is critical,” Solabia Nutrition underscores.

“For the nutraceutical industry, clinically validated, natural solutions that demonstrate measurable effects on cognition are key to advancing evidence-based brain health formulations.”

“Superberry” for brain fitness

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study involved thirty healthy older adults with an average age of 65, who were overweight or obese and at an increased risk of cognitive impairment.

This six-week trial evaluated the effects of Brainberry on their cognitive performance.

“A key strength of the study design was the direct and objective assessment of both brain vascular function and cognitive performance using highly validated, gold-standard methodologies,” Solabia Nutrition outlines.

Brainberry is based on an extract of the aronia “Nero Eggert” variety and is standardized for 25% cyanidins.The researchers measured cerebral blood flow using MRI while assessing their cognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), a widely recognized, computer-based testing platform. The test has been extensively validated in academic and clinical research and is considered a reference standard for measuring specific cognitive domains.

Brainberry supplementation resulted in a statistically significant improvement in spatial working memory measured by the CANTAB memory test. Errors were reduced by 20% compared to placebo, note the researchers.

“Spatial working memory is essential for everyday cognitive tasks such as navigation, object and word recognition, and problem-solving, and is known to be sensitive to age-related cognitive decline,” highlights Solabia Nutrition.

Meanwhile, regional cerebral blood flow decreased in one cluster in the right insular cortex among participants supplementing with the ingredient, compared to the placebo.

“Possibly, a reduced cerebral blood flow in this brain region might relate to an inhibitory control toward insular cortex-related functionalities, such as motivational decision-making, emotional processing, and stress responses,” posits the company.

In other recent Solabia Nutrition news, the supplier published clinical research conducted at Maastricht University, which backed the women’s health and beauty benefits of its ingestible Manzanilla olive leaf extract, Bonolive.

Additionally, supplementation with Bonolive decreased pentosidine (a key cellular aging marker) compared to placebo and helped maintain stable elastin levels during menopausal aging. However, these results were not statistically significant.

Last June, the US FDA issued an approval letter regarding the generally recognized as safe status of Solabia Nutrition’s two flagship ingredients, Watts’Up and Cordiart. The two ingredients — derived from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) grown in Europe — are designed for use in dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages.