Study results

During the 12-week clinical study, 25 healthy adult men and women added either 12 ounces of 100% apple juice or two apples into their daily diet. Half of the participants drank 100% apple juice daily for six weeks while the other half ate apples including the peel.
The varieties of apples the group consumed included Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Red Delicious.
After six weeks, the subjects switched groups.
Each participant kept a detailed five-day food record every two weeks, and researchers monitored the subjects' body weight throughout the 12-week study period.
There were no significant differences in the intake of dietary fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrate, sugar or calories.
Researchers measured how long it took for LDL cholesterol to be broken down before the study and at each six-week interval - this is known as the oxidation lag time.
Lag time measurements are commonly used to determine how long it takes for cholesterol to oxidize or break down when exposed to certain chemicals. A longer lag time indicates a greater delay in the start of oxidation, which is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
The lag time increased by 20% after six weeks among those drinking apple juice.
Eating apples also showed potential health benefits, but not such a dramatic effect.
A spokesperson for the British Heart Foundation said: "The BHF says that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is important and that five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, including fruit juices, will provide the body with a good supply of potent antioxidants.
"This new research certainly gives credence to the rhyme 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away!'"

The research is published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

source: BBC NEWS

Wednesday, 21 February, 2001, 01:38 GMT

Back To Articles Main>>>>>