One of the hottest areas of nutrition is phytochemical research. Phytochemicals are substances found in plants that have health promoting characteristics. We have known for a couple of years that lycopene in tomatoes may reduce risk of prostate cancer in men, and lutein and zeaxanthin in green leafy vegetables may reduce risk of blindness. Now there is evidence that phytochemicals in blueberries may help to slow down the aging process. A recent study by Dr. James Joseph and colleagues from Tufts University found that when mature rats were given blueberry extract for 8 weeks along with their usual diet, the diet reversed some of the age-related deficits in cognitive and motor function. The investigators split the old rats randomly into four groups and they were given one of the following diets for 8 weeks: a regular diet, or a diet supplemented with strawberry, spinach, or blueberry extract. The results showed that all three experimental groups had an increase in important chemicals in the brain and improved cognitive function; however, the blueberry group improved the most. In addition, the rats in the blueberry group were also able to walk on a rod or plank and hang onto a wire better, demonstrating improvement in motor function. Whether this will hold up in humans is not known. Ongoing research into phytochemicals continues to show us how important it is to eat your fruits and vegetables!