LONGECITY

New study finds consuming apple juice associated with brain health
"An apple a day" now has new meaning for those who want to maintain mental dexterity as they age. New research from the University of Massachusetts Lowell suggests that consuming apple juice may protect against cell damage that contributes to age-related memory loss, even in test animals that were not prone to developing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

"This new study suggests that eating and drinking apples and apple juice, in conjunction with a balanced diet, can protect the brain from the effects of oxidative stress – and that we should eat such antioxidant-rich foods," notes lead researcher Thomas B. Shea, Ph.D., director of the University of Massachusetts Lowell's Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research, whose study was just published in the latest issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Although more research is needed, Shea is excited about these brain health findings, which are encouraging for all individuals who are interested in staying mentally sharp as they age.

Using a well-established animal protocol, Shea and his research colleagues assessed whether consumption of apple juice was protective against oxidative brain damage in aging mice, damage that can lead to memory loss. "These newer findings show that there is something in apples and apple juice that protects brain cells in normal aging, much like the protection we previously saw against Alzheimer-like symptoms," says Shea.

The researchers evaluated adult and aged mice using a standard diet, a nutrient-deficient diet, and a nutrient-deficient diet supplemented with apple juice concentrate in drinking water. Although the adult mice tested were not affected negatively by the deficient diets, the aged mice were, which is consistent with normal aging due to oxidative neurodegeneration. The effect on cognition among the aged mice was measured through well-established maze tests, followed by an examination of brain tissue. However, the aged mice who consumed the diets supplemented with apple juice performed significantly better on the maze tests and all had less oxidative brain damage than those on the standard diet.

Supplementation by apple juice fully protected the aged mice from the oxidative stress caused by the nutrient-deficient diet. In addition, stronger mental acuity resulted when the aged mice consumed the human equivalent of 2-3 cups of apple juice or approximately 2-4 apples per day. "We believe that this effect is due to the apple's naturally high level of antioxidants," states Shea. Previous research with his colleagues also determined that it is not the sugar and energy content of the apple juice, but the antioxidant attributes of apple juice that are responsible for the positive effects.


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This study was sponsored through an unrestricted grant by the U.S. Apple Association and the Apple Products Research and Education Council.

The research abstract can be found at http://www.j-alz.com...s/8/vol8-3.html.

Thanks for the information, Edward, but you presently remained banned from Imminst as you well know.

Didn't see that one coming.

Prometheus, nice catch.

Neither did I. Credit goes to Adam.

Mucho thnx for the info, daedalus. When I saw the title of this thread, I was thinking iPods & Macintoshes [tung]

Supplementation by apple juice fully protected the aged mice from the oxidative stress caused by the nutrient-deficient diet. In addition, stronger mental acuity resulted when the aged mice consumed the human equivalent of 2-3 cups of apple juice or approximately 2-4 apples per day. "We believe that this effect is due to the apple's naturally high level of antioxidants," states Shea. Previous research with his colleagues also determined that it is not the sugar and energy content of the apple juice, but the antioxidant attributes of apple juice that are responsible for the positive effects.

This is interesting. I'm starting to suspect that you would see these kind of results with almost any fruit you tried though. 2-4 apples per day is a bit unrealistic -- if you consider that remarkable improvements in cognitive and motor function were seen in rats at the human equivalent of 1/2 cup of blueberries daily, it doesn't seem like apples are particularly efficient for this purpose.

1/2 cup wild blueberries = 6g sugar
4 apples = 52g of sugar (!!)

We also know that higher blood sugar levels will improve mental function, at least in the short term. I wonder how much of the "mental acuity" improvements they documented were simply a result of spiking glucose levels like crazy with all of the apple juice? That's the kind of thing a study funded by the apple industry might overlook.

Funk (note to self-be careful typing that name),

not that I disagree about blueberries, but apple juice has a glycemic index of 40 because of the fructose, so not much spike. And apples do have polyphenols and are worth consuming. 2-3/day can be helpful when dieting.

apple juice has a glycemic index of 40 because of the fructose, so not much spike. And apples do have polyphenols and are worth consuming. 2-3/day can be helpful when dieting.

I'm not questioning the overall value of eating apples -- I eat 1-2 medium sized Gala apples every single day. They are tasty and pectin is an awesome soluble fiber. But to consume the amount of apple juice or apples that the study is advocating means adding ~50g of sugar to your diet, and it doesn't seem justified when you can receive comparable (or superior -- blueberries also improve motor function) cognitive benefits with only 5g of sugar from blueberries.

Strawberries and spinach have also been shown to improve memory in rat studies, which is why I think this property might be shared by many fruits & vegetables.

Yes, I suspect that most any fruit is going to turn out to be good for you. Now if they could find some substance in apples that does the good work and is not found in other things, then we would have something. So far, the only good things in meat seem to be protien. Then we have all the fat, hormones etc to deal with

Did daedalus do something wrong or is the witch hunt heating up again? You would think that if it was LM or Eduard, they would know enough to use a proxy to disguise their tracks. Anyone from Chicago is banned I assume. Perhaps anyone from Illinois

"The only good things in meat is protein?"

Say what? Vegetarians are funny.

We also know that higher blood sugar levels will improve mental function, at least in the short term. I wonder how much of the "mental acuity" improvements they documented were simply a result of spiking glucose levels like crazy with all of the apple juice? That's the kind of thing a study funded by the apple industry might overlook.

I would think that raising blood sugar levels somewhat may improve mental function. However "spiking glucose levels" might yield a very brief improvment. For the most part it would probably have the opposite effect since the glucose spike would result in depressed glucose levels once insulin has done its deed.

I suspect that most (ripe) apples would not cause spiking. However, I've had apple juices that appear to result in significant changes in blood sugar levels in a relatively short time.

Juices seem to trigger a quite different response in bloodsugar levels as compared to the complete fruit. Furthermore, pre-processed juices need measures against yeast-like issues. I would opt for the complete fruits, allways.