Ooops, I should’ve Had a V8!

Attendees at the first-ever International Conference on Prevention of Dementia last summer had cause to raise their glasses to celebrate the findings of a recent study. Researchers from the University of South Florida reported that elderly people who drank fruit or vegetable juice at least three times per week had a 75% reduction in Alzheimer’s disease, compared to those who imbibed juice less than once a week.

The study examined how various beverages, such as tea, wine and juices, affected dementia. Fruit and veggie juices, such as orange juice and V8, are rich in antioxidants, which have been shown to delay the onset of different types of dementia.

With nearly 34 million people expected to experience some kind of dementia by 2025, this is reason to celebrate. “These findings suggest that something as simple as incorporating more fruit and vegetable juices into our diet may have a significant impact on our brain health,” the researchers concluded. They also said these results could lead to a new avenue of inquiry into the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Another presentation at the conference found that moderate consumption of alcohol—particularly wine—may also stall the onset of the disease.