Brainy Blueberries

A cup of blueberries a day may help keep you mentally sharp. Researchers at Tufts University report that blueberries reduced age-related brain damage in rats and also prevented mental decline in mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's-like plaques in their brains. The findings, coupled with early results from a human study, suggest eating blueberries can help prevent the mental decline that often accompanies aging.

Although studies have shown an association between healthy eating habits and a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the National Institutes of Health says that researchers still aren’t sure whether these factors can actually prevent the disease.