It’s the beginning of the year, and you want nothing more than to get rid of the fog in your brain. Are you tired of forgetting things throughout the day? You’re not alone. Many people with MS struggle with memory problems. There are a lot of things you can do to improve your memory (brain training apps are especially helpful). But like all things, sometimes the solution is more simple.

Eating fruits and vegetables is so important to managing your MS symptoms, but did you know that there are 5 fruit juices that can help boost your memory? Below, you will find each of the 5 fruit juices good for your brain and a description of the study that found it to help boost your memory.

Apple Juice

In a recent study, mice were divided into two groups and fed a healthy or nutrient-poor diet. Some of the mice in the nutrient-poor group were also given the equivalent of two 8-ounce glasses of apple juice (or 2-3 apples). The mice who received the apple juice supplemented diet actually outperformed the other mice in maze tests. This study was originally conducted about alzheimer’s, but the power of apples and apple juice on all people’s memory is worth looking into. Human studies on apple juice consumption and memory are coming soon.

Blueberry Juice

Another recent study followed 18 people struggling with dementia symptoms. Half of the people drank approximately 2.5 cups of wild blueberry juice daily, and the other half drank a control drink. After twelve weeks, those who had been drinking blueberry juice showed significant improvements on memory related tests. There were other benefits such as decreased depression and lower glucose levels, but they require further research for verification.

Pomegranate Juice

In this study, people were once again divided into two groups. Half of the participants drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice, and the other half drank a placebo that tasted similar. Over the course of four weeks, these people participated in memory tests, MRI scans, and blood draws. Not only did their verbal memory tests improve, but their antioxidant levels also increased. In addition, their brains showed increased activity during memory and verbal testing, suggesting that the juice had a profound impact on the brain’s activity in a very short amount of time.

Orange Juice

Orange juice is readily available, and a recent study tested 37 healthy men and women with memory loss. They were asked to drink 500 ml (just under a pint) of orange juice daily for 8 weeks. They took tests at the beginning and end of the trial period, and collectively, showed an average increase in memory of 8%.

Concord Grape Juice

Participants in this study drank Concord grape juice or a placebo for 16 weeks. Those who drank Concord grape juice had less interference on memory tests and showed increased brain activity on fMRI scans. Although this study was focused on age-related memory loss, it is possible that the benefits of Concord grape juice would also apply to MS-related memory problems.

A Note About Juices

Fruit juices are high in sugar - and when you strip a fruit of the fiber that keeps it from being digested quickly, you increase your body’s reaction to that sugar. It is always a good idea to drink your juice with foods that contain fiber, protein, and healthy fats as this will slow your body’s absorption of sugar.

You can also combine your juices with these foods into a delicious smoothie that will provide all the memory-boosting powers of juice while still keeping your blood sugar steady (and providing extra nutrients and benefits as well). Try throwing in an avocado, some flax seed, or greek yogurt for a delicious brain-boosting smoothie.

As you can see, there is a lot of research out there about fruit juices that help boost your memory. Including these in your diet may help to improve your MS-related memory problems. What have you found helps improve your memory? Share in the comments below.