Chomping on Cherries: A Real Mind-Bender

When your mind is in need of honing, head straight for the produce aisle. And give your brain a bowl of cherries.

This yummy summer fruit is chock-full of anthocyanins, potent compounds that may guard against brain-cell death, so you'll stay tack sharp.

Neuron Armor
Cherry phenolics, particularly anthocyanins, appear to protect brain cells from neurodamaging oxidative stress -- the kind seen in Alzheimer's disease. Sour cherries may be particularly protective; it's thought that they may have higher anthocyanin amounts than the sweet kind. But concentrations vary widely among different varieties. (Here's another way cherries help you stay young.)

All in Your Head
No matter what your age, you can do plenty to keep your mind at peak performance. Start with these tips:

• Give your synapses a good workout. Start with our online puzzles and games.
• Test your brainpower. This quiz will test your skills at lateral thinking, association, wordplay, and logic skills.
• Feed your mind. Check out these must-have brain foods -- from fish to nuts.

Recipe Corner
Give your brain a treat with this mouthwatering dessert: Cherry-Almond Crumble.

Sweet and sour cherry phenolics and their protective effects on neuronal cells. Kim, D. O. et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2005 Dec 28;53(26):9921-9927.