Apples, Oranges May Fight Alzheimer's

Antioxidants Slow Neurological Toxicity
January 31, 2008

A new study in the Journal of Food Science said that common fruits such as apples, bananas and oranges may protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at Cornell University investigated the effects of extracts from those foods on neurons and found that the phenolic phytochemicals of the fruits prevented toxicity on the cells.

Among the three fruits, apples contained the highest content of protective antioxidants, followed by bananas then oranges.

The studies authors said it was the antioxidant properties that protected the nerve cells.

Apples, bananas and oranges are the most common fruits in both Western and Asian diets, and are important sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber.