Healthy living is in right now, and everyone wants to make a change in their lifestyle that would ward off diseases. Recent studies organized by the University of California, Los Angeles reveals that grapes fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
The study was carried on 10 test subjects, half of them men, and half women. All these subjects were in the first stage of cognitive decline. The subjects were randomly selected and asked to take in grape powder twice a day over the course of six months.
The grape powder dosage was equal to 2.25 cups of fresh grapes. While half of them were given the grape powder, the other half was asked to consume placebo powder. The powder looks and tastes similar to the grape. However, it doesn’t contain polyphenol micronutrients.
The cognitive behavior of the participant was measured once at the beginning of the study and again after six months. The brain metabolism of the patients was also measured with the help of a PET scan.
The test conducted six months after the start of the study revealed a significant difference between the two sets of subjects. The first group, which had consumed the grape powder showed some beneficial changes in brain metabolism. The change brought about a marked improvement in their cognitive and memory performance.
The group that had placebo powder showed a significant decline in the regions of the brain that are usually affected by Alzheimer’s.
News Atlas reported that the effect was because of the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in the fruit. The polyphenols reduce oxidative stress in the brain. Apart from this, they also increase the flow of blood inside the brain, maintaining a healthy level of chemicals thereby boosting the memory.
According to DOTMed, Dr. Daniel Silverman, the leading researcher in the project, said that the even though the pilot study was hugely successful, they will still have to carry the clinical studies on a larger group of people to ascertain the effects.
According to Dr. Silverman, the pilot study showed the beneficial effect of grapes on cardiovascular and neurological health. However, the subjects were too less in number to draw a constructive conclusion from the study.
Scientists have tried to understand the impact of the polyphenols present in grapes, and they have always recommended it as a healthy food choice. While scientists had initially said that the grapes would promote anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, it was only recently that grapes started getting associated with brain health.
Other studies showed that grapes promoted healthy blood flow in the brain by reducing the oxidative stress in the brain. It went on to improve working memory and maintained a good chemical balance.
Haaretz reported the results of the test aren’t cognitive. They simply show a difference in the neuropsychological test results of the two groups. The investigative study also dealt with the impact of grapes as a whole fruit as compared to isolated compounds from the same.
The result helps determine that regular intake of grapes will assist in the early decline in the patients who have Alzheimer’s. The medical properties of grapes were always known to man. Even thousands of years ago, in ancient Egypt, people would consume grapes and wine because of its beneficial effect.
Wine might be considered as an alcoholic drink, but it more beneficial elements than other alcoholic beverages. Wine, since it comes from grapes, contains polyphenol which is a natural antioxidant and helps fight inflammatory diseases.