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One Major Effect of Drinking Apple Juice, New Study Says

This childhood favorite may yield a lifetime of benefits—especially from one beloved type of apple.
FACT CHECKED BY Faye Brennan

If it seems that we tend to go for the exotic juices these days—like beet juice for heart and brain health and amla juice for diabetes prevention—a new study suggests that returning to a classic might deliver a major advantage for your health. The research found that apple juice, specifically one kind, may be a powerful force against cardiovascular illness.

We're all aware that minding cholesterol is one of the key focuses of staying healthy overall. When bad cholesterol collects inside the body, it layers the inside of the veins and thickens the vessel walls, creating a narrowing effect, which can lead to clotting, stroke, heart attack, and other issues.

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If managing your cholesterol feels like an undertaking that requires serious know-how, here's something super encouraging: A new study suggests that the juice from one of the most basic health foods on the planets—yep, that's apple juice—may be an important weapon against bad cholesterols.

apple juice
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The study, published last month in the Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, concluded that apple juice showed a marked preventative and protective effect for the heart. Mice that were fed apple juice for 13 days experienced a reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides (unhealthy fat), and bad cholesterol levels, while also experiencing an increase in healthy cholesterol levels.

In particular, the study used Fuji apples and gala apples, both of which a 2017 study found to possess strong antioxidants such as catechin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation. Of the two types of apples in the current study, gala apples showed greater benefit to the mice than did Fuji apples.

More research will be necessary before scientists can more definitively conclude that apple juice could have the same heart-healthy effects for humans… but gala apples might be worth remembering next time you're in the produce section, or shopping for juice.

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Krissy Gasbarre
Krissy is a senior news editor at Eat This, Not That!, managing morning and weekend news related to nutrition, wellness, restaurants and groceries (with a focus on beverages), and more. Read more about Krissy