Remember the old saying, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away"? According to some recent research, there might be some truth behind it.
Mice that displayed an allergy to ovalbumin, a protein in egg white, were fed a polyphenol-rich extract from apple (Pomactiv HFV, from Val de Vire Bioactives, France) either during the ovalbumin challenge, or just before, and their immune response was measured.
Data showed that the apple polyphenols did indeed reduce the allergic response to the ovalbumin in the mice, but only when consumed before the challenge: No effects were observed if consumed during the ovalbumin challenge, said the researchers.
http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nu ... stle-study
This could lead to the development of a life-saving product, for people with severe allergies. It remains to be seen whether or not this line of research might also apply to autoimmune responses to food intolerances. I would guess that it would not, but who knows?
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