Maple syrup may help fight Alzheimer's disease, a new study has found.
The key components are the botanical compounds that provide protective effects to the brain. With this, Alzheimer's disease treatment may soon be more efficient and sweeter, literally.
Maple Syrup In The Limelight: A First
In the annual gathering of the American Chemical Society, international experts presented 24 studies that looked into the positive effects of natural products in preventing neurodegenerative disorders, specifically Alzheimer's disease.
For the first time ever, pure maple syrup was part of the healthy food list that may provide promising protective effects to brain cells so as to fight damages associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Maple Syrup And Alzheimer's Disease
In one study presented by Dr. Donald Weaver from the University of Toronto, experts found that pure maple syrup extract may help prevent two protein types found in brain cells from folding and clumping.
When proteins in brain cells fold and clump together, they may form plaques that are associated with the disease process of Alzheimer's disease.
In another research, scientists were able to discover that pure maple syrup extract may help avoid entanglement of proteins and even give protective benefits to the brain cells of mice models.
Lastly, maple syrup was also found to extend the lifespan of Alzheimer's living roundworm model.
Symposium organizer Dr. Navindra P. Seeram says experts persist to study different natural food items such as superfruit blueberries, red wine, green tea and pomegranates to find out their possible benefits in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
Now, Seeram acknowledges the emergence of pure maple syrup in showing the same neuroprotective effects that red wine's compound, resveratrol, exhibit.
Future Looking Bright
Seeram says additional studies in animals and eventually in humans are needed to confirm these early results. Despite this, initial findings have supported previous studies that looked into the innate characteristics of pure maple syrup, hence maple syrup is now in the list of all-natural food items with beneficial health effects.
Serge Beaulieu, the President of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, says he is enthusiastic about the study results. He adds that the federation and 7,300 more maple businesses in Quebec are willing to invest in scientific research to learn more about the connection between health and food.
"We already know that maple has more than 100 bioactive compounds, some of which have anti-inflammatory properties," says Beaulieu, adding that they are looking forward to focusing on more possible benefits of maple syrup to brain health.
Photo : Keiichi Yasu | Flickr
