An Apple a Day May Keep Alzheimer’s Away
Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, and there is no effective therapy. Approximately one in nine adults over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s disease. ARS-supported researchers at Tufts University in Boston, MA, followed 2,809 men and women older than age 50 for an average of 20 years as part of the Framingham Heart Study – a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular cohort study of residents of the city of Framingham, MA.
Researchers found that specific fruits and vegetables rich in plant compounds known as flavonoids may significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. Flavonoids are plant nutrients known for their antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties. They are found in many foods, including blueberries, strawberries, and red wine. Apples, pears, oranges, bananas, and tea also showed some beneficial associations.
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