Berries 'may help Alzheimer's'
Updated on 12 November 2008
Compounds in blackcurrants could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, food researchers have said.
Scientists are working on a project to find a cost-effective way of developing the compounds as food ingredients.
The work was disclosed when ministers joined Scottish Government-supported scientists for a briefing on their work with food that can boost health.
The blackcurrant work is being carried out at the Scottish Crop Research Institute.
"Scientists at SCRI are working on a project that is trying to identify bioactive compounds in blackcurrants thought to be capable of reducing the risk of progression of Alzheimer's disease", said a briefing paper.
"The compounds are extracted from the waste produced when blackcurrants are processed.
"They are thought to possess properties which protect the brain and may help in the treatment of dementia."
It added: "The project is examining cost-effective methods of extracting the compounds and how they can be developed into new functional food ingredients."
Other Scots scientists are working on a tomato extract which may reduce heart disease - and on bread which may help control diabetes.
The work on tomatoes is being carried out by scientists at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen, who have discovered a tomato extract which prevents blood platelets being activated in response to the stresses of daily life and ageing.
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