Fuctional Foods - Coffee fruit and BDNF

A true superfood packed with antioxidants—due to concentrated polyphenols—coffee fruit has the power to boost the immune system, protect against free radicals and act as an anti-inflammatory. It is considered a stone fruit much like mango or acai and it’s the red cherry colored flesh around the coffee seed or bean that has all of the magical properties. Because coffee fruit skins ruin the taste of coffee, farmers have always thrown them away, putting them back into the ground to fertilize the soil. It is said that the coffee fruit’s antioxidants improve cognitive function and mental clarity. In fact, your brain needs a critical protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for healthy functioning. It supports your brain’s neurons so they can grow even faster, develop stronger connections, and stay healthy. It keeps your brain young! BDNF is key for learning and memory. Research shows low levels of BDNF contribute to Alzheimer’s, accelerated aging, poor neural development, and many of today’s mental diseases associated with aging. Dr David Perlmutter, one of the most cutting-edge neurologists of our time, found a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition where researchers administered a single 100mg dose of whole coffee fruit extract to a group of volunteers and observed a 143% increase in their blood values of BDNF. So, how should we get a hold of this nutritional powerhouse?  An easy way is the beverage BAI  -you may have seen the commercials where Justin Timberlake talks about the Brasberry… BAI is a juice like beverage created from coffee fruit and naturally sweetened containing only 5 calories.  My kids love the Costa Rica Clementine flavor which has replaced orange Gatorade in our house.  I prefer their Lemonade or Tanzania Lemon Tea. You can purchase these at Whole Foods or Amazon and we are big fans not only for the taste but also for the health benefits.  It’s a great low sugar beverage for the upcoming hot summer months…give it a try!