The common British fruit which can protect against Alzheimer’s
How changing the state of popular fruit can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease
- New research suggests that consuming cherries processed into a powder, rather than juice, could help prevent Alzheimer's disease and simultaneously tackle food waste.
- A study from the University of Kent, published in Antioxidants, found that the powder form of cherries better retains anthocyanins, pigments known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties linked to combating dementia.
- Researchers utilised cherries that would otherwise be discarded, demonstrating a method to convert agricultural by-products into potentially beneficial health supplements.
- Dr Marina Ezcurra, the project's lead researcher, highlighted the innovation's potential for sustainable food production and its applicability in agricultural regions.
- This finding supports previous studies indicating that increased intake of flavonoid-rich foods, such as cherries, can significantly lower the risk of developing dementia, a condition affecting around one million people in the UK.