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Neat study showing that apples help increase the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, resulting in improved memory. Although it's fishy that it was sponsored by the U.S. Apple Association. I wonder how many other fruits have the same effect?
Quote:
UMass Lowell research shows benefits of apple juice on neurotransmitter affecting memory
Lowell -- 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 Thomas 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.
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This study was sponsored through an unrestricted grant by the U.S. Apple Association and the Apple Products Research and Education Council.
UMass Lowell, www.uml.edu, a comprehensive university with a national reputation in science, engineering and technology, is committed to educating students for lifelong success in a diverse world and conducting research and outreach activities that sustain the economic, environmental and social health of the region. UML offers its 11,000 students more than 120 degree choices, internships, five-year combined bachelor's to master's programs and doctoral studies in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Management, the School of Health and Environment, and the Graduate School of Education.
The influence of funding on a study is always a tricky one. You really need to rely on the honesty of the researchers not to be bias.
A couple months ago there was a huge review of beverage consumption and new guidelines were released. The study came out saying that tea was a great choice. Lipton spent $40,000 funding the study and ran a full page article in the NY Times the next day quoting the study saying how tea was "scientifically proven" to be super good for you (or something like that). Does this mean Walter Willet (from Harvard) was swayed by Liptons contribution? The Associated Press thought so as did the soda lobbyists (the recommend consumption for soda was super low, suprising?).
It is really tricky because some studies cost so much money (especially feeding studies) and can require such good food scientists that if food companies didn't get involved the studies would not be feasible.
It is a real tricky situation......any thoughts???
__________________ Mike Roussell
Nutrition Doctoral Student
Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of Max-Out Radio featuring Zach Even-Esh.
I think that while not preferable, as you say, the cost is too high in many cases to have the study done without industry sponsorship. For the study to be of any sure worth, you have to do more than read the study conclusions. You must verify that the testing method was appropriate, and that the study was published in a reputable, peer-reviewed journal. Luckily in this case, apples should be required eating, anyway! I mean, they have fiber, pectin, vitamins and minerals and other natural substances. Just chalk this study up as one more reason to encourage you to eat apples.
The influence of funding on a study is always a tricky one. You really need to rely on the honesty of the researchers not to be bias.
A couple months ago there was a huge review of beverage consumption and new guidelines were released. The study came out saying that tea was a great choice. Lipton spent $40,000 funding the study and ran a full page article in the NY Times the next day quoting the study saying how tea was "scientifically proven" to be super good for you (or something like that). Does this mean Walter Willet (from Harvard) was swayed by Liptons contribution? The Associated Press thought so as did the soda lobbyists (the recommend consumption for soda was super low, suprising?).
It is really tricky because some studies cost so much money (especially feeding studies) and can require such good food scientists that if food companies didn't get involved the studies would not be feasible.
It is a real tricky situation......any thoughts???
Good points, Mike. I imagine it goes both ways: there are many researchers who maintain their ethics and don't massage the data, while there are others who would risk stretching the truth rather than biting the hand that feeds them.
Although I am fairly cynical about humans and opportunistic lying, I still do have enough optimism for the scientific method to think that it weeds out the majority of would-be shills.
Apples good for memory
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