If having blueberries, grapes, cocoa and tea helps me improve my memory, count me in. 

Researcher, Henriette van Praag, and her colleagues at the Salk Institute found that these foods contain a compound called epicatechin, a type of flavonol.  Eating a healthy amount of these along with exercise could possibly reduce the effects of such diseaeses as Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disorders related to aging.

Considering that flavonols also improve cardiovascular function and increase blood flow to the brain, it’s a no-brainer to eat them.  With blueberries soon to be available for the summer and grapes already in the markets, have a handful a day.  Make a pot of tea, put it in a thermos so it’s available to you throughout the day.  And treat yourself to an ounce of dark chocolate for dessert at dinner and you may be able to be as sharp in 25 years as you are today.

It wouldn’t hurt to do a crossword puzzle or try sudoku.  Anything that you do that keeps your brain challenged will keep it more youthful.  It’s no different than with exercise.  The old saying that goes, “use it or lose it” is very true here.