Mémophénol™ : a patented grape and blueberry extract, rich in polyphenols, with clinically proven effectiveness
Scientific evidence indicates that foods rich in flavonoids, and more specifically in three specific subgroups, namely flavanols (monomers and oligomers), anthocyanins and flavonols, have a strong potential to affect cognitive function. These low molecular weight flavonoids are known for their high bioavailability and have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. Among them, monomeric flavanols are the most bioavailable polyphenols, with an absorption rate of 45%.
Grapes are one of the richest fruits in polyphenols, and their seeds are particularly rich in flavanol monomers and oligomers. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins and flavonols.
Mémophénol™ is a patented extract combining Champagne grapes and wild blueberries, carefully selected for their polyphenolic profiles, particularly their high content of specific flavonoids.
Champagne grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), especially varieties such as Pinot noir or Chardonnay, provide 5 times higher amounts of flavanol monomers and oligomers than other grape varieties. Such a polyphenolic profile gives these grapes a higher antioxidant activity.
The wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium A.), on the other hand, has higher levels of phenolic acids, flavonols and anthocyanins than the shrub blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Several clinical studies have shown that the consumption of wild bilberries helps to correct age-related memory problems.
A in vivo study showed that the combination of champagne grape and wild blueberry extracts increased the plasma concentration of phenolic compounds by a factor of 5 and provided synergistic antioxidant effects against oxidation-induced neurotoxicity, demonstrating the synergy between these 2 plants, as well as a better bioavailability1 .
The polyphenols in Mémophénol™ have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier into the brain (in vivo study).
More than 15 animal and human studies indicate that Memophenol™ has an effect on several aspects of memory and learning, in particular on short-term and long-term memory.
According to an in vivo study, Mémophénol™ improves neurogenesis by increasing the proportion of mature neurons with connections (+19%) and synaptic plasticity (+11% connections) 2.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre clinical study of 215 healthy people aged 60 to 70 years showed a significant improvement in short-term memory (60% more words memorised in the verbal recognition memory test), long-term episodic memory (38% fewer errors in the paired learning test) as well as a « rejuvenation » of cognitive age by about ten years, after 6 months of daily supplementation with 600 mg of Mémophénol™ 3.
Post-hoc estimate of theoretical cognitive age, based on normative data (red line) obtained from CANTAB on the Paired Associated Learning test (PAL). Results obtained on subjects with the lowest PAL score compared to baseline (n=27, total errors >57), supplemented with Memophenol™ for 6 months compared to the placebo group.
Mémophénol™ is suitable for a vegan diet and is guaranteed non-GMO.
(1) Dudonné, Stéphanie et al. “Potentiation of the bioavailability of blueberry phenolic compounds by coingested grape phenolic compounds in mice, revealed by targeted metabolomic profiling in plasma and feces.” Food & function vol. 7,8 (2016): 3421-30. doi:10.1039/c6fo00902f
(2) Bensalem, Julien et al. “Polyphenol-rich extract from grape and blueberry attenuates cognitive decline and improves neuronal function in aged mice.” Journal of nutritional science vol. 7 e19. 21 May. 2018, doi:10.1017/jns.2018.10
(3) Bensalem, Julien et al. “Polyphenols From Grape and Blueberry Improve Episodic Memory in Healthy Elderly with Lower Level of Memory Performance: A Bicentric DoubleBlind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.” The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences vol. 74,7 (2019): 996-1007. doi:10.1093/gerona/gly166