Researchers discovered that a natural compound found in sea buckthorn berries may help protect your brain from damage caused by eating too much fatty food. In a study with mice, this compound called SPa worked by changing the bacteria in the gut and boosting helpful brain chemicals. The mice that received SPa showed better memory and thinking skills, and had less brain inflammation compared to mice eating a high-fat diet without the supplement. While these results are promising, more research in humans is needed before we know if this could help people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural compound from sea buckthorn berries could protect mouse brains from damage caused by eating a high-fat diet
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice were fed either a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet plus the sea buckthorn compound. The exact number of mice wasn’t specified in the abstract.
  • Key finding: Mice that received the sea buckthorn compound (SPa) had better brain function, less brain inflammation, and better intestinal health compared to mice eating only a high-fat diet, even though both groups ate the same fatty food
  • What it means for you: This suggests that certain plant compounds might help protect your brain from damage caused by unhealthy eating habits. However, this was only tested in mice, so we can’t yet say if it would work the same way in people. More human studies are needed before making any dietary changes.

The Research Details

Scientists conducted an experiment using laboratory mice to test whether a natural compound called SPa (extracted from sea buckthorn berries) could protect the brain from damage caused by eating a high-fat diet. The researchers divided mice into different groups: some ate normal food, some ate a high-fat diet, and some ate a high-fat diet plus received the SPa compound. They then measured changes in the mice’s gut bacteria, brain chemicals, brain inflammation, and behavior over time.

The researchers used advanced laboratory techniques to examine the mice’s gut bacteria and identify which types were affected by SPa. They also measured specific brain chemicals and proteins that are important for memory and thinking. Additionally, they tested the mice’s behavior to see if their memory and learning abilities improved with SPa treatment.

This type of study is called a preclinical or animal study, which is an important first step in understanding how a potential treatment works before it can be tested in humans.

Animal studies like this help scientists understand the basic mechanisms of how natural compounds might protect our health. By studying mice first, researchers can safely test whether a compound is worth investigating further in human trials. This research is particularly important because it shows not just that SPa might help, but also how it works—by changing gut bacteria and reducing brain inflammation.

This study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which means other experts reviewed the research before publication. However, because this is an animal study rather than a human study, the results may not directly apply to people. The abstract doesn’t specify the exact number of mice used, which makes it harder to evaluate the study’s statistical power. The research appears to be well-designed with multiple measurements and pathways examined, suggesting thorough investigation.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that mice receiving SPa showed significant improvements in brain function and reduced brain inflammation compared to mice eating only a high-fat diet. Specifically, the SPa compound changed the types of bacteria living in the mice’s intestines, increasing bacteria that help produce important brain chemicals like serotonin (which affects mood and thinking).

The compound also reduced harmful inflammation in the brain by blocking a specific inflammatory pathway that normally gets activated by unhealthy eating. This reduction in brain inflammation was linked to improvements in the mice’s memory and learning abilities, suggesting their brains were functioning better.

Additionally, SPa improved the health of the mice’s intestinal barrier—the protective lining of the gut that prevents harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. A damaged intestinal barrier is thought to contribute to brain inflammation, so strengthening it may have helped protect the brain.

The research also found that SPa restored healthy levels of specific brain chemicals that are typically reduced by high-fat diets. These chemicals, including serotonin and compounds called indole derivatives, are important for mood, memory, and overall brain health. The compound also increased production of a protective immune molecule called IL-22, which helps maintain intestinal health and reduce inflammation throughout the body.

This research builds on previous studies showing that gut bacteria influence brain health through what scientists call the ‘gut-brain axis.’ Earlier research suggested that unhealthy diets damage this connection, but this study provides new details about how specific plant compounds might repair it. The focus on tryptophan metabolism (a specific chemical pathway) is relatively novel and suggests a new mechanism for how natural compounds could protect brain health.

This study was conducted only in mice, so we cannot assume the same results would occur in humans. Mice have different digestive systems, immune systems, and brain structures than people, which means the compound might work differently or not at all in human bodies. The abstract doesn’t provide the exact number of mice studied or detailed statistical information, making it difficult to assess how reliable the results are. Additionally, the study doesn’t tell us what dose of SPa was used or whether different doses might work better or worse. Finally, this was a short-term study in mice, so we don’t know if the benefits would last over months or years in humans.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, we cannot yet recommend that people take sea buckthorn supplements to protect their brains. The evidence is promising but preliminary. If you’re interested in protecting your brain health, current evidence supports eating a balanced diet low in unhealthy fats, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. If you’re considering any supplements, talk to your doctor first.

This research is most relevant to scientists studying brain health and nutrition, and to people interested in how diet affects thinking and memory. It may eventually be relevant to people concerned about cognitive decline or neurodegenerative diseases, but only after human studies are completed. People currently taking medications or with existing health conditions should not change their diet based on this animal study alone.

Since this is only an animal study, we cannot predict how quickly benefits might appear in humans. If human studies eventually confirm these findings, it would likely take weeks to months of consistent use to see any effects on memory or thinking. Any real-world application is probably several years away, pending further research.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly memory or focus scores using simple self-assessment (rate your mental clarity 1-10 daily), along with dietary fat intake and any supplements taken. This creates a personal baseline for comparison if you choose to make dietary changes.
  • Users could use the app to monitor their intake of whole foods rich in natural compounds (berries, vegetables, whole grains) and track how dietary changes correlate with their reported mental clarity and focus. This encourages gradual dietary improvements while gathering personal data.
  • Establish a 12-week tracking period measuring weekly cognitive function self-assessments, dietary quality scores, and any mood or energy changes. Create visual trends showing correlation between diet quality and reported mental performance, helping users see the real-world impact of their food choices.

This research was conducted in laboratory mice and has not been tested in humans. The findings cannot be directly applied to human health at this time. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any supplements or medications based on this research without consulting your healthcare provider first. If you have concerns about cognitive health or neurological conditions, please speak with a qualified medical professional. Sea buckthorn supplements are not approved by the FDA for treating or preventing any disease.