New medical research suggests that a chemical found in apple peels and green tomatoes could help reduce muscle wasting in the elderly.
The University of Iowa scientists discovered two natural compounds that cause muscle weakness and loss during ageing – Ursolic acid, which is found in apple peel, and Tomatidine, found in green tomatoes.
According to Nature World Report, the scientists tested ursolic acid and tomatidine on mice to see if they reduced age-related muscle weakness and atrophy. The study found that the two compounds increased muscle mass by 10% and muscle quality, or strength, by 30%.
The researchers believe that the two compounds could be used for dealing with muscle weakness and atrophy during aging. We look forward to hearing more about this latest discovery.
Read the full study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
