Apples, apple juice and apple products have always played a role in a healthy diet. For decades, if not hundreds of years, we’ve been told to eat apples to maintain our health.
Now, science is uncovering that the healthy components are not just in apples, but are in apple juice as well.
Raw apple juice (glass of 8 oz.) contains 114 calories; so if you are trying to shed some weight, then add apple juice to your diet: it has few calories, it's fat-free and can lower cholesterol.
But there are more valuable benefits of drinking apple juice. Recent studies have demonstrated that apple products boost memory, increase lipid metabolism, protect the heart, prevent colon cancer, prevent atherosclerosis, reduce wheezing among children.
Apple juice consumption linked to improved brain health
A growing body of evidence suggests that eating apples and apple products can be beneficial when it comes to improving brain health and diminishing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. A University of Massachusetts-Lowell research team led by Dr. Thomas Shea has uncovered a wide range of brain-protective effects in apples and apple juice that accompany aging and contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
"Our studies, like similar studies from other laboratories, provide evidence that good nutrition can help maintain a healthy brain, even in the face of genetic risk factors that may otherwise cause a decline in brain fuction in adult life and aging," Shea said.
Nine published studies from Shea's group demonstrate that eating apples and drinking apple juice can impact cognition by boosting neurotransmitter levels and helps prevent the increase in oxidative damage to the brain.
A 2008 study led by Dr. Victor Fulgoni found that "adults who eat apples and apple products have smaller waistlines that indicate less abdominal fat, lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for developing what is known as the metabolic syndrome" (when compared to non-consumers, adult apple product consumers had a 27% decreased likelihood of being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome).
In addition to having a 30% decreased likelihood for elevated diastolic blood pressure and a 36% decreased likelihood for elevated systolic blood pressure, apple product consumers also had a 21% reduced risk of increased waist circumference – all predictors of cardiovascular disease and an increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, adult apple product consumers had significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels, another measurable marker related to cardiovascular risk.
These findings confirm the resuls of studies conducted at UC-Davis:
apple juice is heart healthy.
Researchers at the University of California-Davis recently reported that apples and apple juice may help protect arteries from harmful plaque build-up. In the first study conducted in humans, adults who added two apples, or 12 ounces of 100% apple juice, to their daily diet demonstrated a significant slowing of the cholesterol oxidation process that leads to plaque build-up - thereby giving the body more time to rid itself of cholesterol before it can cause harm.
There's more good news when it comes to eating healthy apples and apple products! New research suggests that both apple pectin and apple juice extracts may enhance the body's ability to protect from colon cancer.
German researchers found that components of apples and apple juice react in the colon and help to slow the growth of precancerous and tumor cells. The research, published in the April 2008 issue of Nutrition, notes, "apples are a major source of natural fiber and of low molecular weight plan polyphenols in the Western diet." The researchers conclude, "Pectin-rich apple products can thus be expected to exert anticarginogenic effects in the colon."
Apples and apple juice shown to prevent atherosclerosisA new study shows that apples and apple juice are playing the same health league as the often-touted purple grapes and grape juice. The study was published in the April 2008 issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
The researchers observed that processing the fruit into juice has the potential to increase the bioavailability of the naturally-occurring compounds and antioxidants found in the whole fruit.
Researchers also noted, “These results show for the first time that long-term consumption of antioxidants supplied by apples and purple grapes, especially phenolic compounds, prevents the development of atherosclerosis in hamsters, and that the processing can have a major impact on the potential health effects of a product.”
Apple juice reduces wheezing among children
A study published in June’s 2007 European Respiratory Journal showed a link between apple juice consumption and a reduction in wheezing among children.
Dr Peter Burney, who led the project, said that it was possible that 'phytochemicals' in apples, such as flavanoids and phenolic acids, were helping to calm the inflammation in the airways which is a key feature of both wheezing and asthma.
These studies add compelling new evidence that there is a positive
association between health benefits and consumption of apple juice other
apple products.The findings of the researches gives us even more reason to choose a phytonutrient-rich beverage like 100% apple juice over less nutritious flavored beverages, even when eating fast food!
Healthy easy smoothie recipe
This tasty smoothie is dairy free and uses apple juice, banana, oranges, pineapple, carrots and spinach to create a sweet, healthy super immune boosting, vitamin C packed treat! Between the spinach, oranges and pineapple your flu will make a run for the hills!
1/2 cup apple juice
1 banana
2 small oranges
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup carrots
2 cups spinach
1 1/2 cup ice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in your blender with liquids on bottom and solids on top. Blend until smooth. Add more ice as needed. Enjoy!
Sources: http://www.colorectal-cancer.ca/en/news-and-resources/apple-day-say/
www.j-alz.com/issues/8/vol8-3.html. -University of Massachusetts Lowell
http://news.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/apple_study.html
Recipe http://www.iheartnaptime.net/green-smoothie/
