Eating apples may improve behavioral problems linked to Alzheimer's disease

A diet rich in fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables has been known to help maintain a healthy weight, but a new study has found it may also help improve the mood of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers found that patients who consumed two 4-oz glasses of apple juice a day for a month experienced an approximately 27 percent improvement in behavioral patterns associated with the condition, such as anxiety, agitation and delusion.

"[The] impact of apple juice on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia adds to the body of evidence supporting the usefulness of nutritional approaches, including fruit and vegetable juices, in delaying the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease," the authors wrote in an article that appeared in the American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias.

Some studies have linked obesity to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease as excess weight predisposes individuals to developing insulin resistance over time.

As a result, calorie-reed diets - such as the HCG-based plan, which incorporates a variety of fruits and vegetables - may be an option for those who would like to lose weight and enhance their long-term mental health.