Apple Juice May Delay Key Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease

Most recent study shows that regular consumption of apple juice can help to delay symptoms of age related cognitive decline according to report published in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.  Dr. Shea said that " these findings provide further evidence linking nutritional and genetic risk factors for age-related neurodegeneration and suggest that regular consumption of apple juice can not only help to keep one's mind functioning at its best, but may also be able to delay key aspects of Alzheimer's disease and augment therapeutic approaches."

Thomas B Shea, PhD of the Center for Cellular Neurobiology; Neurodegeneration Research University of Masachusetts, Lowell and his research team demonstrated by giving the human equivalent of 2 glasses of apple juice to the mice for one month and found out that it produced less of a small protein fragment, called "beta-amyloid" that is responsible for forming the "senile plaques" that are commonly found in brains of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease.




Source info:
IOS Press (2009, January 24). Apple Juice Can Delay Onset Of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 16, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122100826.htm

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I Love Mango!

Yes! Mango has and will always be a favorite fruit of mine.   I love the sweet and fragrant smell of the ripe ones.   I can really devour several pieces of that golden yellow, heart-shaped fruit especially when I was younger.   Pity I am diabetic now that's why I slowed down eating this lovely fruit because it is classified as Medium in the Glycemic Index of Food.   Glycemic Index as Wikipedia defined is a measure of effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels.   I remember way back then during my 5th grade when our family relocated from Manila to Laguna. Me and my friends had the joy of climbing the mango trees and picked the mangoes we like and eat them there and then.  They have 3 varieties: Kalabaw, Piko and Indian.

Mango is rich in anti-oxidant - vitamins A and C.   Vitamin C is more pronounced in unripe or green mangoes.   It also has traces of vitamins E, B and K.

Mangoes are also used for culinary purposes.   They are used for sauces, cakes, preserved like jams and pickles, jellies, shakes, sorbets and ice creams.  Locally, we see dried mangoes on the shelves of the supermakets and some brands are already being exported to other countries.  Philippines is one of the major exporters of mangoes in the world.

Here is one of the refreshing mango drink developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST at their website written by Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, NCS, RUMD:

Mango Medley


Ingredients:

1. 1 piece ripe mango
2. 1 piece banana - lakatan
3. 1 slice papaya
4. calamansi juice (lemon)
5. sugar to taste

Procedure:

1. Blenderize the fruits until smooth.
2. For every 1/3 cup of fruit pulp, add 2/3 water.
3. Stir in calamansi juice and sugar.
4. Chill.

It makes 4 servings.   Enjoy this healthful drink!

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Black Tea for Diabetes?

This would certainly be good news for diabetics: black tea for controlling diabetes, according to the latest study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists.   Researchers from Tianjin Key Laboratory in China studied the Polysaccharide levels of oolong, green and black teas and found out the possibility for usage in the treatment of diabetes.

Of the three teas tested, the black teas contain the most glucose-inhibiting properties of polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are the complex carbohydrates which is made up of sugars and starches and may prove to be beneficial to people with diabetes because it helps slow down the absorption of glucose. It also showed the highest scavenging effect on free radicals that act on the onset of diseases like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Black teas have also been known for its antioxidants, immune boosting and most recently, antihypertensive properties.

News Source:

Institute of Food Technologists (2009, August 13). Black Tea May Fight Diabetes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 19, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/07/090728172604.htm

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