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Want to Fight Dementia? Grab a Handful of Blueberries

  • BrainTap App, BrainTap Sessions, BrainTap Technologies, Education, Health and Wellness, Healthy Eating
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If you knew there was a food you could add to your diet proven to fight the effects of aging and dementia, you’d probably eat it, wouldn’t you? Well, get to your local farmer’s market now because blueberries are the wonder food of the future. Blueberries fight off the harmful effects of free radicals, keep blood vessels clear of plaque, and give us a boost from plant-based chemicals.

Blueberries May Help

The two most common types of dementia that affect older Americans, Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, may be helped by the same types of foods that help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and prevents and manages diabetes. Blueberries are good for our health because they contain antioxidants that help protect our bodies from disease and age-related health issues. These little blue power houses are also getting a reputation for being a brain food that can help improve cognitive function and memory.

As far back as 1999 researchers found that giving blueberries to older rats helped them navigate through mazes more efficiently. It was around 2010 that studies began to surface showing the efficacy of blueberries for the human brain. Michael Greger of Nutritionfacts.org says, “It didn’t stop the disease; it didn’t reverse the disease. But it slowed the progression.”

Blueberry Study

One of the longest running studies by the Nurses’ Health Study followed more than 16,000 women aged 70 and older and showed women who ate more berries slowed down their rates of mental decline. According to Dr. Greger, “The magnitude of the association was pretty impressive. Women with a higher intake of berries appeared to have delayed cognitive aging by 2.5 years. So, it’s like your brain is 2.5 years younger if you’re eating berries.”

MRI imaging shows the difference in brain function as people eat blueberries due to the polyphenol phytonutrients. The antioxidants in these berries can cross the blood brain barrier. Other foods of the same color can actually do the same thing. Red cabbage, pomegranates and grape juice are also beneficial for your brain.

When it comes to fighting aging and having a healthier body, the more whole plant foods in your diet, the better. Berries not only fight free radicals; they also combat cholesterol and have the fiber we need to keep our digestive systems running smoothly. But it will take more than eating the standard American diet and just adding some berries in. Blueberries are not a magic bullet but part of an arsenal of foods that we should be eating for better brain health.

Several foods can be added to your diet to have an effect on your cognitive abilities and keep your brain sharp for as long as possible. Polyphenols have been shown to protect your neurons against injury caused by neurotoxins and inflammation and aids in memory, learning and cognitive function. Flavanols, found in fruit, cocoa, wine, tea and beans are also associated with better cognitive functioning.

Benefits of Blueberries

Blueberries have a high number of vitamins that boost brain health, specifically flavonoids. Consuming blueberries every day has been proven to slow memory decline and help motor coordination typically associated with aging. You can eat them fresh, frozen, canned or juiced to deliver the following brain benefits.

  1. Lowers your risk of dementia. It’s normal for cognitive function to decline as we age but we can preserve it for longer when we eat a diet rich in plant-based foods like blueberries. Recent studies have found that older adults who drank blueberry juice had a significant increase in brain activity, blood flow and memory compared to a group that did not.
  2. Reduces the Effects of Alzheimer’s. Antioxidants found in blueberries provide a benefit in improving memory and cognitive function in adults to potentially prevent Alzheimer’s disease. A 2016 study found that blueberries can treat patients who already show signs of mental impairment.
  3. Prevents memory loss related to age. Berries such as blueberries can help protect the brain from free radicals. A 2012 study found that berries change the way the neurons in the brain communicate and prevented inflammation to improve motor control and cognition.
  4. Boost your Brain. Adding blueberries can increase the birthrate of braincells in the hippocampus–the region of the brain responsible for memory. In a 2002 study older rats were fed blueberry supplements and experienced improved memory via the hippocampus.
  5. Improves memory and concentration. Eating a bowl of blueberries can improve memory and concentration for up to five hours. A 2009 study found participants who drank a blueberry smoothie in the morning did better on tasks in the mid-afternoon compared to those who didn’t. Researchers believe blueberries stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain keeping the mind active and healthy.
  6. Boosts mental health. Blueberries can help those suffering from depression. In a 2016 study, scientists found that blueberries reduce the genetic and biochemical factors behind depression and suicidal tendencies linked to PTSD.

Your brain is your most important organ and keeping it healthy and strong for as long as possible is becoming a growing health concern among doctors and patients alike. Factors such as super stress and the standard American diet are not helping us along the way. That’s why it is essential to keep your brain working at optimum levels for as long as possible with a healthy diet.

While we all know that processed, sugary, and refined foods are not helping us, now we’re learning that other foods–such as blueberries–can help reduce cognitive decline and help us live our best lives longer. For an even bigger boost, you can pair a healthy diet with the stress reducing, brain-balancing BrainTap Pro App, which provides you with vital relaxation and guided visualizations to improve your life in numerous ways. If you find eating healthy is a struggle, checking out BrainTap’s audio series on healthy eating is a great way to get yourself on track to making the healthy choices that will protect your brain and body.

For a free trial of the BrainTap App click HERE.

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Warranty & Return Policy

Customer Support

In order to streamline support requests and better serve you, we utilize a support ticket system. Every support request is assigned a unique ticket number. Please keep your support ticket number in a safe place and provide your number when contacting us.

Manufacturer’s Warranty

The BrainTap Headset Bluetooth model has a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty that covers any flaws or defects that the headset shipped with. Any sort of sustained physical damage is not covered under warranty.  All other products or equipment come with a 30-day manufacturer’s warranty unless otherwise stated.  Please reference your User Manual to view the complete warranty policy.  Should you experience any difficulty with your equipment or accessories, we recommend first checking the troubleshooting guidelines in the User Manual included with the headset or reference our online Knowledge Base for headset tips and troubleshooting steps. If you are still having trouble and your headset is within the warranty period, call our Help Desk at 302-721-6677 or fill out an online support ticket for further assistance.  If the item needs to be returned to BrainTap offices for assessment and replacement, you will be asked to provide proof of purchase and will be issued a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and shipping instructions.  Items without proof of purchase will not be accepted for RMA.

Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Policy

A Return Merchandize Authorization (RMA) is a numbered authorization provided to permit the return of a product. Any product returned to BrainTap offices for testing, trade-in or refund must be accompanied by an RMA issued by our Help Desk. Please note that RMAs expire 15 days after issue. Returns postmarked after the expiration date will not be accepted. Please be sure to ship your return item promptly.

Out of Warranty Support Options

Should you experience any difficulty with your equipment or accessories, we recommend first checking the troubleshooting guidelines in the User Manual reference our online Knowledge Base for headset tips and troubleshooting steps. Even if your headset is outside of the warranty period, you can reach out to our Help Desk via phone at 302-721-6677 or online by filling out a support ticket for further help.  If the product is determined to require replacement after troubleshooting, there is an option for an out of warranty trade-in and replacement for a fee. We do not offer repair services for out of warranty products.

Satisfaction Guarantee & Equipment Return Policy

There is a 45-day return policy on all products and packages purchased directly from BrainTap unless otherwise stated. BrainTap headsets purchased from a retail outlet or 3rd party must be returned to the place of purchase and are subject to the return policy of the seller.  All returns must have proof of purchase and a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number or the return will not be accepted. All products returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee. The return period begins on the day you received your order.  To initiate the return process, reach out to our Help Desk via phone at 302-721-6677 or submit an online support ticket.

Shipping Fees

Shipping fees, if any, including duties and import taxes for international shipments, are non-refundable. In all instances, return shipping fees are the responsibility of the purchaser.

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You may cancel your membership/program/subscription with a 30-day notice by logging into your account on BrainTap.com. Click the account icon at the top right of the page, then click the profile icon on the top right-hand side and then click Billing. Once you are on the Billing page you will be able to “Manage Subscriptions & Payment” where you can cancel your subscription.

All subscribers are required to provide a 30-day cancellation notice prior to terminating their subscription. This policy is implemented to ensure a smooth transition for both subscribers and the service provider, allowing for adequate time to process cancellation requests and manage subscription changes.

Calculation of 30-Day Notice Period: The 30-day cancellation notice period will be calculated from the next monthly payment due date following the receipt of the cancellation request. For example, if a subscriber submits a cancellation request on the 5th of the month and their next monthly payment is due on the 15th of the same month, the 30-day notice period will commence from the 15th of the month and extend until the 15th of the following month. Free trials are exempt from this 30-day notice policy and may be canceled at any time prior to the first payment due date without payment or penalty.

Refund Processing Time

It takes approximately 10 – 14 days to process a return. If you have any questions regarding your refund, refer / respond to your original support ticket or create a new support ticket and one of our customer support representatives will contact you.

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Terms and Conditions of Use:

Last updated: January 30, 2024

This is an agreement between you and BrainTap, Inc. (with its affiliates, “BrainTap”, “we” or “us”) regarding the digital audio-recorded motivational programs and creative visualization sessions operated by BrainTap Technologies (the “Service”). Additionally, please read the site’s Privacy Policy.

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If all credit cards we have on file for you are declined for payment of your membership or subscription fees, we may cancel your membership or subscription, as applicable, unless you provide us with a new credit card. If you provide us with a new credit card and are successfully charged before your membership or subscription is cancelled, your new membership or subscription period will be based on the original renewal date and not the date of the successful charge.

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You may cancel your membership/program/subscription with a 30-day notice by logging into your account on BrainTap.com. Click the account icon at the top right of the page, then click the profile icon on the top right-hand side and then click Billing. Once you are on the Billing page you will be able to “Manage Subscriptions & Payment” where you can cancel your subscription.

All subscribers are required to provide a 30-day cancellation notice prior to terminating their subscription. This policy is implemented to ensure a smooth transition for both subscribers and the service provider, allowing for adequate time to process cancellation requests and manage subscription changes.

Calculation of 30-Day Notice Period: The 30-day cancellation notice period will be calculated from the next monthly payment due date following the receipt of the cancellation request. For example, if a subscriber submits a cancellation request on the 5th of the month and their next monthly payment is due on the 15th of the same month, the 30-day notice period will commence from the 15th of the month and extend until the 15th of the following month. Free trials are exempt from this 30-day notice policy and may be canceled at any time prior to the first payment due date without payment or penalty.

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We reserve the right to accept or refuse membership or to restrict use of the Service at our discretion. You may not transfer or assign your membership or any Service benefits. You may not use the Service for any commercial purposes without a written license to do so. If you would like to use any of the Services in a business setting, please contact us for information. We may take actions we deem reasonably necessary to prevent fraud and abuse, including placing restrictions on the amount of content or other services that can be accessed from the Service at any one time.

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All content is protected by Federal copyright law. You may not (i) transfer, copy, share, or display Content, except as permitted in this Agreement; (ii) sell, rent, lease, distribute, or broadcast any Content; (iii) remove any proprietary notices or labels on Content; (iv) attempt to disable, bypass, modify, defeat, or otherwise circumvent any digital rights management or other protection system applied to Content or used as part of the Service; or (v) use the Service or Content for any commercial or illegal purpose.

Promotional Trial Memberships

We sometimes offer certain customers various trial or other promotional memberships, which are subject to the Terms except as otherwise stated in the promotional offers. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to determine your eligibility. Trial members may, at any time (through your “My Account”), choose not to continue paid memberships/subscriptions by cancelling prior to the end of the trial period. If a trial offer or a promotion requires you to have a valid payment instrument on file, such as a credit card or other permitted payment method, we may validate that payment method, including by requesting a temporary authorization from the financial institution issuing your payment instrument. If we determine that your payment instrument is invalid, without limiting any of our other rights, we may revoke any benefits, Credits or Content you may have received as part of the offer.

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We may, at our discretion, change the Terms and all elements of them and any aspect of the Service without notice to you. If any change to the Terms is found invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that change is sever-able and does not affect the validity and enforce-ability of any remaining changes and the remainder of the Terms. Your continued use of the Service after we change the Terms constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to any changes, you must not use the Service and must cancel your membership.

Termination by Us

Our business may change over time and we reserve the right to cancel the Service and any membership plan in whole or in part, and to terminate your membership and use of the Service at our discretion without notice. If we do so, we will give you a prorated refund based on the number of days remaining in your membership unless we terminate your membership for conduct that we determine, in our discretion, violates the Terms, violates any applicable law, involves fraud or misuse of the Service, or is harmful to our interests or another user. Our failure to insist upon or enforce your strict compliance with the Terms will not constitute a waiver of any of our rights.

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You agree that all information or data of any kind, whether text, software, code, music or sound, photographs or graphics, video or other materials (“content”), made available publicly or privately, will be under the sole responsibility of the person providing the said content, or of the person whose user account is used. You agree that this website may expose you to content that may be objectionable or offensive. The site editor will not be responsible to you in any way for content displayed on this website, nor for any error or omission.

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We know that you care how your information is used, and we appreciate your trust that we will use it carefully and sensibly. This notice describes our privacy policy. By visiting us, you are accepting the privacy policy described below.

1.  What Personal Information Do We Collect?

  • Information You Provide.  We receive and store information you enter.  For example, when you search for or buy a product or service, or when you supply information such as your address, phone number or credit card. You can choose not to provide certain information, but then you might not be able to take advantage of some of our features.  We use the information that you provide for such purposes as responding to your requests, customizing future shopping for you, improving our website, and communicating with you. We do not store your credit data in our system after the sale – it is used for checkout purposes only. In addition, if you choose, we may share your information with other companies who provide goods or services that you are interested in.  Please see the “opt-in/opt-out” selection in Section 4 of this policy.
  • Cookies. Like many websites, we use “cookies”.  Cookies are small programs that we transfer to your hard drive that allow us to recognize you and to provide you with a customized shopping experience.  If you do not want us to use cookies, you can easily disable them by going to the toolbar of your web browser, and clicking on the “help” button.  Follow the instructions that will prevent the browser from accepting cookies, or set the browser to inform you when you receive a new cookie.  In addition, you may visit this and other websites anonymously through the use of utilities provided by other private companies.
  • Other Information: Every computer has an IP (Internet Protocol) address.  IP addresses of computers used to visit this site are noted.  In addition, we automatically collect other information such as email addresses, browser types, operating systems, and the URL addresses of sites clicked to and from this site.
  • Information from Other Sources.  We might receive information about you from other sources and add it to our account information.  This may include updated delivery and address information from our shippers or other sources so that we can correct our records and deliver your next purchase or communication more easily.

2.  How Do We Use Your Information?

  • Customized Shopping.  We use your information to better serve you by providing a customized shopping experience.  As noted above, you may “opt-out” of this customization, or even visit and shop anonymously.
  • Agents. We employ other companies and individuals to perform functions on our behalf. Examples include delivering packages, sending postal mail and e-mail, and processing credit card payments. They have access to personal information needed to perform their functions, but may not use it for other purposes.
  • Special Offers.  We may send you special offers from time to time, unless you choose to “opt-out” of receiving such offers.  In addition, we may also send you special offers from other companies.  Again, you may “opt-out”.  If we send you offers from other businesses, we do not share your personal information with them.  The offers come directly through us.  Please see the “opt-in/opt-out” selection at the end of this policy.
  • Business Transfers. As we continue to develop our business, we might sell or buy stores or assets. In such transactions, customer information generally is one of the transferred business assets. Also, in the unlikely event that we are acquired, customer information will be one of the transferred assets.
  • Law Enforcement.   If we receive a lawful court order to release account or other personal information then we will comply with the law.  We will also release information when necessary to protect the life, safety or property of others. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection and credit risk reduction.

3.  How Do We Protect the Security of Your Information?

  • We work to protect the security of your information during transmission by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software, which encrypts information you input.
  • We use encryption to protect your information contained in our customer list.
  • We use a firewall to protect against unlawful intrusion.
  • We limit access to your information on a “need to know” basis.
  • We reveal only the last five digits of your credit card numbers when confirming an order. Of course, we transmit the entire credit card number to the appropriate credit card company during order processing.
  • It is important for you to protect against unauthorized access to your password and to your computer. Be sure to sign off when finished using a shared computer.
  • No system can guarantee absolute security, just as the finest lock can not guarantee physical security.  However, we take every reasonable precaution to assure that your data is secure.

4.  Your Choice:  Opt-in or Opt-out. It is your choice whether to receive emails or special offers from us or others.  The following section provides you with this choice.  Please note the default settings.

  • Please send me email or other mail informing me of special offers of your products and services.
  • Please do not send me email or other mail informing me of special offers of your products or services.
  • Please send me email or other mail informing me of special offers of related products or services from other companies.
  • Please do not send me email or other mail informing me of special offers of related products or services from other companies.

5.  Children:  We do not sell products or services to children. If you are under 18, you may use this site only with involvement of a parent or guardian.

6.  Other Websites:  Various Web sites may be linked to from this site.  If you link to another site, your privacy depends on the policy of that site.  We strongly urge you to check their privacy policy.  Not all sites guarantee that they will not share your personally identifiable information with others.  You may also wish to consult privacy guidelines such as those recommended by the Online Privacy Alliance (www.privacyalliance.org).

7.  Contact Us:  If you would like to learn more about our privacy policy, or to access your personally identifiable information contained on our website, you may contact us via the Contact Us page. You will be required to provide identifier information to assure that this information is not released to others.  We reserve the right to modify this policy in the future.  If we do so, notice will be posted on our home page.