Health Benefits Of Apples And Apple Products: Research Highlights
Cognitive Function
Multiple animal and laboratory studies conducted at the University of Massachusetts Lowell have shown that consumption of apple juice (rich in phytonutrients) may delay age-related cognitive decline. Researchers at the University have reported that mice who consumed apple juice (vs. a placebo liquid) not only performed better in maze trials, but avoided the decline that was otherwise observed as the mice aged. In 2008, the research team documented that mice receiving the human equivalent of two glasses of apple juice per day for one month produced less of a small protein fragment (called beta-amyloid) that is responsible for forming "senile plaques,” commonly found in brains of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
While researchers did not study what components in apples were responsible for the neuroprotective effects demonstrated, they ruled out sugar and energy content, and suggested that the antioxidant properties of the apples and the juice was responsible.
Chan, A., Shea, T. Dietary supplementation with apple juice decreases endogenous amyloid-beta levels in murine brain. J Alzheimer's Dis. 2008.14: p. 1-5.
Chan, A., Shea, T. Supplementation with apple juice attenuates presenilin-1 over expression during dietary and genetically-induced oxidative stress. J. Alzheimer’s Dis. 2006. 10(4): p. 353-8.
Chan, A. Shea, T. Folate deprivation increases presenilin expression, gamma-secretase activity and A-beta levels in murine brain: potentiation by ApoE deficiency and alleviation by dietary S-adenosyl methionine. J Neurochem. 2007. 102: p. 753-760.
Chan, A., V. Graves, Shea, T. Apple juice concentrate maintains acetylcholine levels following dietary compromise. J. Alzheimer’s Dis. 2006. 9(3): p. 287-91.
Tchantchou, F. et al., Apple juice concentrate prevents oxidative damage and impaired maze performance in aged mice. J. Alzheimer’s Dis, 2005. 8(3): p. 283-
Rogers, E. et al., Apple juice prevents oxidative stress and impaired cognitive performance caused by genetic and dietary deficiencies in mice. J. Nutr and Healthy Aging. 2004. 8: p. 92-97.
Tchantchou, F. Dietary supplementation with apple juice concentrate alleviates the compensatory increase in glutathione synthase transcription and activity that accompanies dietary- and genetically-induced oxidative stress. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 2004. 8(6): p. 492-6.