Why Neuroscientists Are Suddenly Interested In Strawberries & Walnuts
Key takeaways
- Author: Zhané Slambee May 10, 2026mindbodygreen editor By Zhané Slambee Image by Thalia Ruiz / Unsplash May 10, 2026Your gut and brain are constantly talking to each other.
- Urolithins aren't something you get directly from food.
- How well your body converts these plant compounds into urolithins depends on the mix of bacteria living in your gut.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Zhané Slambee May 10, 2026mindbodygreen editor By Zhané Slambee Image by Thalia Ruiz / Unsplash May 10, 2026Your gut and brain are constantly talking to each other. And new research suggests that certain compounds made by your gut bacteria could help protect against Alzheimer's disease. A recent review points to urolithins as a promising tool for brain health and neuroprotection1, giving you one more reason to reach for pomegranates, berries, and walnuts.
Urolithins aren't something you get directly from food. Instead, your gut bacteria create them when they break down compounds called ellagitannins, which are found in pomegranates, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and walnuts.
Not everyone makes urolithins the same way. How well your body converts these plant compounds into urolithins depends on the mix of bacteria living in your gut. Some people are great at it, while others barely produce any. This might explain why eating polyphenol-rich foods seems to help some people more than others.