[SecretsRevealed] Apple A Day DOES Keep Dr. Away

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Misty L. Trepke

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Study: Apple a day does keep doctor away

 

Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Posted: 9:50 AM EST (1450 GMT)

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- An apple a day really does keep the doctor

away, thanks to strong antioxidants that fight cell damage, U.S.

researchers reported Tuesday.

 

Rat brain cells exposed to the antioxidant -- in this case

quercetin -- resisted damage much better than those not treated, the

team at Cornell University in New York found.

 

Antioxidants are compounds that counteract the damage done by

chemicals known as free radicals -- generated by sunlight, chemical

reactions and the stress of day-to-day living.

 

The researchers say their study adds strength to the theory that the

risk of developing Alzheimer's and similar brain diseases might be

reduced by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

Writing in the December 1 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and

Food Chemistry, the Cornell team said they soaked rat brain cells in

either quercetin or vitamin C -- another potent antioxidant.

 

The cells were then exposed to hydrogen peroxide to mimic the type of

oxidative cell damage that is believed to occur with Alzheimer's

disease.

 

Brain cells that were treated with quercetin had significantly less

damage than the cells treated with vitamin C and cells that were not

treated with antioxidants.

 

" On the basis of serving size, fresh apples have some of the highest

levels of quercetin when compared to other fruits and vegetables and

may be among the best food choices for fighting Alzheimer's, " C.Y.

Lee, a professor and chairman of the Department of Food Science &

Technology at Cornell University, who led the study, said in a

statement.

 

" People should eat more apples, especially fresh ones, " he added.

Lee said the skins of apples contain the highest levels of quercetin

so juice is not necessarily the best source.

 

In general, red apples tend to have more of the antioxidant than

green or yellow ones, he said.

 

Other foods high in quercetin include onions, blueberries and

cranberries.