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Juices Decline the risk
NEW YORK (BBC Health
News)
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Drinking fruit and vegetable
juices frequently may significantly cut the risk of
developing Alzheimer's disease,
a study suggests. U.S. researchers followed almost
2,000 people for up to 10 years.
They found the risk was 76% lower for those who drank juice
more than three times a week, compared with those who drank
it less than once a week. The study appears in the American
Journal of Medicine.
Alzheimer's
is linked to the accumulation of
clumps of
beta-amyloidal protein in the brain.
There is
some evidence to suggest that this process may be controlled
by the chemical hydrogen peroxide.
Various studies have suggested that polyphones -- chemicals
available in many foods -- might disrupt these processes and
provide some protection against Alzheimer's disease
by neutralizing the effect
of damaging compounds called free radicals. Fruit and
vegetable juices are particularly rich in polyphones.
Lead
researcher Dr. Qi Dai, of Vanderbilt University, said:
"These findings are new and suggest that fruit and vegetable
juices may play an important role in delaying the
onset of Alzheimer's disease."
Clive
Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society,
said fruit and vegetables might also help cut the risk by
helping to lower blood pressure, and keep the blood vessels
in good order.
The research was carried out on Japanese
Americans, but researchers said the findings were applicable
to the general population.
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