US: Pink Lady Apples Sending A ‘Heart Healthy’ Valentine’s Day Message
Researchers at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Department of Agriculture and Food say a three-year research project has indeed found apples to be rich in flavonoids - or antioxidants, a common plant pigment compound, which have the potential to improve heart health.
According to Department Research officer and Assistant Professor, Michael Considine, 25 advanced pre-breeding varieties and seven commercial varieties were screened for flavonoids. The additional varieties were Cripps Red (trademark name Sundowner, Golden Delicious, Gala, Hopper Crab and two other Australian varieties, which have been released since the study began.
And, says Considine, “the popular Western Australian-bred Cripps Pink Variety, trademarked as Pink Lady, had the highest flavonoid level, which was found mainly in the skin.”
“From this research, we know that apples have the potential to contribute to a direct and measurable effect on human health. This information will also help to develop new apple varieties with increased flavonoid levels in either the skin or the pulp or the whole fruit.”
In the same statement, Jonathan Hodgson, UWA Research Professor points out: “We found that flavonoid-rich apples improve blood vessel relaxation and enhance nitric oxide status – the molecule that causes blood vessel relaxation.”
“A reduced ability of the blood vessels to relax may cause high blood pressure and heart disease.”
The acute effects of flavonoid-rich apples were assessed in 30 healthy men and women over one day. Those participants were given an apple meal that either was or wasn’t enriched with apple flavonoids. The treatments were switched on different days, at least one week apart, so all had each treatment.
“For those of us at Pink Lady America (PLA), this is great news for the growers of the Pink Lady Brand Apple,” said Alan Taylor, PLA Marketing Director.
“Being one of the highest in flavonoids and thereby having the potential of improving heart health is also a very positive eating opportunity for fans of the Pink Lady Brand.”
“It’s also interesting that for over a decade we’ve referred to the Pink Lady Brand Apple as ‘Fresh From The Heart’ and, guess what? Our logo has always been heart-shaped,” Taylor says. “Time to give your loved-one a heart healthy Pink Lady Brand Apple for Valentine’s Day!”
For more information:
Alan Taylor
Pink Lady
Tel: 509-961-9186.
Email: [email protected]
www.apple-pinklady.com