Brain Studies

A growing number of animal studies have evaluated the effects of antioxidant containing fruits and vegetables, including apple juice concentrate, on age-related mental decline. Additional research is needed to more fully explore the impact, if any, that apple and apple products may have on brain health.

Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Researchers suggest that one factor that contributes to age-related brain disorders is increased oxidative stress. In this animal study, experts from the University of Massachusetts Lowell examined whether or not apple juice concentrate could help reduce oxidative damage and thus help protect against age-related decline in cognitive performance. Findings from this work suggest that, in this animal model, supplementation with the human equivalent of two to three cups of apple juice per day may help protect against oxidative damage to the brain that results from dietary deficiencies during aging. Although the researchers noted that they have not determined which constituents within apple juice were accountable for the brain-protecting effects demonstrated, they suggested that the antioxidant potential of apple juice was probably responsible. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2005.

An animal study from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell evaluated the impact of nutrient-deficient diets and apple juice concentrate on levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known to decline with both aging and Alzheimer's disease. Findings from this work suggest that apple juice may help protect the degradation of acetylcholine and thus defend mice against mental decline, which accompanies both dietary and genetic deficiencies, as well as aging. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2006.