Benefits Of Apple Juice On Neurotransmitter Affecting Memory

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Research Shows Benefits Of Apple Juice On Neurotransmitter Affecting Memory

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060801225922.htm

For those who think that apple juice is a kid's drink, think again. Apples and

apple juice may be among the best foods that baby boomers and senior citizens

could add to their diet, according to new research that demonstrates how apple

products can help boost brain function similar to medication.

Animal research from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) indicates that

apple juice consumption may actually increase the production in the brain of the

essential neurotransmitter acetylcholine, resulting in improved memory.

Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine are chemicals released from nerve cells

that transmit messages to other nerve cells. Such communication between nerve

cells is vital for good health, not just in the brain, but throughout the body.

" We anticipate that the day may come when foods like apples, apple juice and

other apple products are recommended along with the most popular Alzheimer's

medications, " says Shea, Ph.D., director of the UML Center for Cellular

Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research.

The study will be published in the August issue of the international Journal of

Alzheimer's Disease. The abstract is now available online at

http://www.j-alz.com/issues/9/vol9-3.html .

The role of acetylcholine in the brain is not a new area of research.

Alzheimer's medication studies start with the premise that increasing the amount

of acetylcholine in the brain can help to slow mental decline in people with

Alzheimer's disease. Testing a similar hypothesis, the UML research team found

that having animals consume antioxidant-rich apple juice had a comparable and

beneficial effect.

In this novel animal study at UML, adult (9-12 months) and old (2-2.5 years)

mice, some specially bred to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms, were fed three

different diets (a standard diet, a nutrient-deficient diet, and a

nutrient-deficient diet supplemented with apple components (in this case, apple

juice concentrate was added to their drinking water).

Among those fed the apple juice-supplemented diet, the mice showed an increased

production of acetylcholine in their brains. Also, after multiple assessments of

memory and learning using traditional Y maze tests, researchers found that the

mice who consumed the apple juice-supplemented diets performed significantly

better on the maze tests.

" It was surprising how the animals on the apple-enhanced diets actually did a

superior job on the maze tests than those not on the supplemented diet, " remarks

Dr. Shea.

Earlier studies by Shea's research team had strongly suggested apples must

possess a unique mix of antioxidants that improve cognition and memory via

inhibition of oxidation in the brain. Those results encouraged Shea to evaluate

the neurotransmitter effect, as is done in the current study. Medications given

to humans with Alzheimer's disease have been shown to inhibit the production of

specific enyzmes (cholinesterase inhibitors) that break down acetylcholine in

the brain. The end result in the animal study is similar -- there are more of

these critical messengers remaining in the brain to enhance memory.

The results obtained were from the animals consuming moderate amounts of apple

juice --comparable to drinking approximately two 8 oz. glasses of apple juice or

eating 2-3 apples a day. The findings also suggest that the apple-supplemented

diet was most helpful in the framework of an overall healthy diet.

Shea concludes, " The findings of the present study show that consumption of

antioxidant-rich foods such as apples and apple juice can help reduce problems

associated with memory loss. "

Shea also notes that a human clinical study evaluating consumption of apple

products will begin in the near future.

This study was sponsored through an unrestricted grant by the U.S. Apple

Association and the Apple Products Research and Education Council.