Concord Grape Juice and Cognitive Function

An interesting study published in the February 10, 2016 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Concord grape juice improved cognitive function in middle-aged, stressed-out women. This small cross-over study study involved 25 stressed-out mothers who worked outside the home more than 30 hours per week and were between the ages of 40 and 50. Half the group consumed 12 ounces of Concord grape juice with 777 mg total polyphenols, while the other half consumed a similar tasting and looking drink. There was a 4 week washout period before the groups were switched. After 12 weeks of Concord grape juice, improvements in immediate spatial memory and driving performance were observed, and the effect appeared to be lasting beyond the study period. This study is interesting in that the women did not have mild cognitive impairment at the start. They were under a lot of stress, which can affect cognitive function, but not to the point where one would be considered cognitively impaired. Yet, the study group did have improvement over their baseline. 

This study was supported by Welch Foods, Inc.