The subject of these research studies are polyphenols, antioxidants found in immature baby apples. The news of late has been filled with the health giving properties of antioxidants, such as red wine, coffee and dark chocolate. These foods owe their health giving benefits to polyphenols. But how much coffee, red wine and chocolate can you consume without having to check yourself into a rehab center?



I first became acquainted with apple polyphenols while browsing through Bottom Line Magazine. A bold headline asked the question "Do Apples Fight Baldness?" Underneath was the answer. "procyanidin B-2, a compound in apples, has been found to increase the number and thickness of hair shafts in just six months." Immediately my husband's daily ritual of staring dolefully into the mirror at his ever widening balding spot at the top of his head sprang to mind. Could I be the one to save him from the fate of becoming Larry of the Three Stooges? I did extensive investigation and found new research that confirmed the adage about an apple a day and its extensive health benefits.

Research article after article detailed the benefits about polyphenol extracts from apples. Scientific studies showed protection to brain cells from normal aging. Russian research into longevity found that they could routinely extend the life span of mice by 50% with polyphenols. And if all this were not enough, Japanese scientists found that animals given polyphenols lost an average of 27% of organ fat in 3 weeks and gained a 16% increase in muscle strength. The research into the healing properties of polyphenol apple extracts shows promise in even more areas, such as tumor reduction.

But what is the news from the top of my husband's balding dome? After a month of application we areseeing new hair growth. Scientific tests had revealed that the apple compound in polyphenols was almost twice as effective as Monoxidil (Rogaine) for hair growth. More important is that there is a scientifically proven way to grow hair without the scary side effects of a blood pressure medicine like Minoxidil, or the sexual side effects of Propecia.

Who knows what's next? Remembering where we left the car keys, spandex without shame? The possibilities are endless.