More Americans are living longer than ever before, but the flip side to this trend is a greater frequency of aging-related conditions. Alzheimer's disease, the most common and widespread form of dementia, has wreaked particular havoc on our elderly population, contributing to memory loss, confusion, motor difficulties and a generally reduced quality of life for those in their golden years. Although new research is constantly being performed to investigate methods of bolstering brain power, there is as of yet no cure or treatment for Alzheimer's. But could one common fruit hold the key?
Apples have long been regarded for their healthy properties — the old adage "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" isn't for nothing, after all. A recent study conducted by the University of Massachusetts-Lowell may have discovered how to harness this fruit for Alzheimer's treatment. According to the healthy living community site Care2, the study's lead, Dr. Thomas Shea, discovered that apples and apple juice helped improve memory support in mice who suffered from a neurological defect similar to Alzheimer's. Unrelated research has also found that quercetin, a bioactive chemical produced by apples, could be used to better protect brain cells in rats from oxidative stress and neurodegenerative conditions.
Although apples aren't exactly a catch-all solution to Alzheimer's treatment, adding this fruit to your daily regimen could go a long way in improving both body and brain health.
"Variety is best," Rui Hai Liu, a professor at Cornell University, said in an official statement. "The thousands of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables can be looked at as a team."
Make sure to check back with our blog for more exciting developments in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, and click here for information on our selection of brain support supplements.