Murdoch University to test if Bravo apples protect against heart disease and diabetes

Can this juicy apple keep the doctor away? It took two decades of research to develop and could have special protective properties to protect against heart disease and diabetes.

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Australian researchers are putting the proverb to the test to see if the once forbidden fruit really can protect the heart.

Researchers from Murdoch University in Western Australia are putting the Bravo brand under scientific scrutiny in human trials to see if this apple has protective properties for cardiovascular health and even help reduce diabetes risk.

Volunteers considering The Apple Study are told these are recognised as one of the juiciest and tastiest apples on the market and don’t go brown as quickly when cut because they contain some of the highest levels of antioxidants among apple varieties.

Study lead Ruey Leng Loo is an associate professor in molecular nutrition at Murdoch University. Image: Supplied

Developed in Western Australia after more than two decades of research, they have uniquely burgundy skin and are bred to have extended shelf life so they can be exported across Australia and the world.

Now the government, growers and researchers are partnering to better understand the fruit’s ability to lower the risk of heart disease.

Study lead Ruey Leng Loo said human intervention studies on apples have yielded contradictory results.

Bravo apples have uniquely burgundy-coloured skin. Researchers will now study their ability to help protect heart health.

A clinical pharmacist, she is an associate professor in molecular nutrition at Murdoch University.

“Our research aims to address this gap by collecting biological specimens from volunteers who will consume Bravo apples and control fruits each day for eight weeks,” Professor Loo said.

“We will analyse the impact on blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels, as well as other cardiovascular disease risk indicators, to see how they influence health.”

She told the Herald Sun that apples are high in polyphenols. These are a category of compounds naturally found in plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

“We are measuring beyond the traditional approach of simply looking at carbohydrates and fats, instead focusing at a molecular level,” Professor Loo said. “The human trial will help us explore if adding high-polyphenol Bravo apples to our daily diet can help prevent heart disease in high-risk individuals.”

The researchers are also hoping to develop new products using high-pressure processing to extend shelf life while maintaining the health benefit of the fruits.

Professor Loo said these new products will be measured for their health-promoting compounds using the analytical capabilities at the university’s Australian National Phenome Centre.

Originally published as Murdoch University to test if Bravo apples protect against heart disease and diabetes