An apple a day can ward off Alzheimer’s disease, research shows

DRESDE, Germany – “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” especially when it comes to fighting dementia. An international study reveals that the fruit known for its health is rich in chemicals that fuel neurons, improving learning and memory.

Experiments in mice have found an increase in gray matter after injection of phytonutrients, like flavonoids, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables. The effects were similar to those seen after exercise, which may also boost brain function.

Corresponding author Professor Gerd Kempermann of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases says these dietary compounds are “vital for maintaining cognitive function”.

“They can have positive effects on different parts of the body – including the brain,” Kempermann says in a statement to SWNS.

How do these substances stimulate the brain?

These antioxidants reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. The researchers took stem cells from the brains of laboratory rodents and cultured them in Petri dishes. After adding apple extracts like quercetin or DHBA (dihydroxybezoic acid), more neurons grew and fewer died.

“High concentrations of phytonutrients from apples stimulate the generation of new neurons – a process called neurogenesis,” Kempermann explains.

The results, published in Stem cell reports, were then confirmed in tests involving real mice. The stem cells multiplied and produced more neurons after scientists added large doses of quercetin or DHBA.

Specifically, this applied to distinct structures in the adult brain, including the hippocampus, vital for memory, learning, and navigation.

“Apples contain pro-neurogenic compounds in both their skin and their flesh,” the study’s authors write in their report.

Quercetin resides in the skin of the apple. The pigment adds color to the fruit and belongs to the flavonoid family. DHBA is a natural preservative unrelated to flavonoids. It is responsible for giving the fruit its distinctive aroma. The two chemicals, however, work in a similar way, protecting cells by destroying harmful free radicals.

“‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ There may be some truth to this aphorism, “the researchers write.” In addition to being a source of energy, food has been known to influence an individual’s overall fitness. A growing number of studies have demonstrated the health benefits of phytochemicals, chemicals found in plants. ”

Find ways to stop disease in our food?

These substances include resveratrol in red grapes and EGCG (epigallo-catechin-3-gallate) in green tea. Previous studies have shown that they have been linked to reducing the risk of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Researchers believe that quercetin and DHBA work in combination to promote neurogenesis and brain function when consumed in large amounts.

“The effects were comparable to those seen after exercise – a known stimulus for neurogenesis,” Kempermann tells SWNS.

However, when the mice were given apple juice, the study authors say there was no benefit to brain health because it contains smaller amounts of beneficial ingredients. The findings could have implications for protection against Alzheimer’s disease. With no cure in sight for degenerative disease, more emphasis is placed on lifestyle factors that can help stop or delay its onset.

“As mammals evolved with exposure to particular diets, naturally abundant compounds may be part of the set of environmental co-determinants that have shaped the structure and function of the brain,” write the authors of the study.

“Future studies will be needed to determine whether these phytonutrients and others can improve learning and cognitive function in animal models – and in humans,” Kempermann adds.

SWNS writer Mark Waghorn contributed to this report.