Fruit juice linked to Alzheimer's prevention
Thursday, 31 Aug 2006 13:22
Fruit juice could protect against dementia
Science In Focus
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Scientists have claimed that fruit and vegetable juice may provide a significant barrier against the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Today's ten-year study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, found that the risk of the disease occurring was 76 per cent less in people who drank fruit juice more than three times a week, compared to those who consumed less than one glass a week.
Of the 2,000 people involved in the research, sixteen per cent less suffered from Alzheimer's if they drank between one and two glasses of either fruit or vegetable juice.
Researchers have long suspected a relation between the effects of antioxidants as an effective delay upon Alzheimer's, but the study's authors say that this is the first time that a concrete link has been established.
They claim that the high polyphenol content, itself a powerful antioxidant, in the fruit and vegetable juice is behind the apparent beneficial effects.
"We found that frequent drinking of fruit and vegetable juices was associated with a substantially decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease," the authors write.
"This inverse association was stronger after adjustments for potential confounding factors, and the association was evident in all strata of selected variables. These findings are new and suggest that fruit and vegetable juices may play an important role in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease."