03/27/06 An apple a day

An apple a day. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. March is National Nutrition Month and according to some recent studies, there may be more truth to the old adage of "an apple a day." Apples may in fact contribute healthful nutrients towards disease prevention. In the past year, research has suggested that apples and apple products, including apple juice, cider and sauce, may help prevent diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer`s. A study conducted at Cornell University found that the consumption of apples may offer protection against cancer, specifically mammary (breast) cancer, in animals. The more apples consumed, the greater the reduction in incidence or number of tumors among test animals, who consumed the equivalent of one to six apples a day. In addition, research from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell found that the consumption of apple juice, in conjunction with a balanced diet, may protect against cell damage that contributes to age-related memory loss. Researchers credited the naturally high level of antioxidants found in apples for protecting the aged mice from oxidative stress caused by a nutrient-deficient diet. The brain health benefits were found when animals consumed the equivalent of 2-3 cups of apple juice or 2-4 whole apples per day. The USDA recently categorized apples as one of the top 20 antioxidant sources. So eat up and enjoy better health due to apples. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.