Can Apple Juice Delay Alzheimer's Disease?
Tuesday March 17, 2009
Maybe. Dr. Thomas B. Shea of the Center for Cellular Neurobiology at the Neurodegeneration Research University of Massachusetts - Lowell and his colleagues have conducted a number of studies that found that drinking apple juice improved the performance of mice in maze tests and prevented the usual decline in performance among mice as they age.In their most recent study, they found that mice who consumed the human equivalent of 2 glasses of apple juice a day for 1 month produced less beta amyloid than mice who did not receive apple juice. Beta amyloid is the protein that makes up the plaques that accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
I'm glad to see that a series of studies has supported the brain benefits of apple juice. Still, remember that these studies were done with mice, so we need evidence that apple juice produces similar benefits in humans. In the meantime, it sure can't hurt to add apple juice to your diet if you don't include it already.
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Comments
Is this apple juice that is raw or pasteurized?
Hi Harold,
I did some searching and I’ve been unable to find out whether the apple juice was raw or pasteurized. I’ll be sure to post another comment if I am able to find out.
Thanks so much,
Carrie
Can apples be substituted for the apple juice
I have also heard that blueberries (and blueberry juice) as well as pomegranate juice have a similar benefit. Any truth behind this?
Everyday I read this gal spout something that is good for Alzheimers. Then I read the test. Usually 100 or 200 patients. She jumps to report every little item. Apple juice, vitamin D, vitamin C, fruit, vegtables, breathing, sleeping, milk, no milk, cherrys, berries, wine, no wine, choclate, no candy, candy. You get the point. PHD give me something better than this daily dribble.
Hey, Bill, go read something else if you don’t like this site.
Thanks everyone for your comments and I apologize for the delay. I will continue to watch for research on apples vs. apple juice as well as blueberries and pomegranate juice in relation to brain health. Bill, I’m sorry that you’re not happy with my reporting. I totally agree with you that one study using 100-200 subjects is not adequate for making broad generalizations, and I don’t think I do that. I am simply informing the public of what kinds of studies are being conducted without making any firm conclusions or recommendations. That’s how science works!
Thanks again,
Carrie