Apples and green tomatoes help against the weakening of ageing muscle mass. These two foods contain two molecules able to slow the weakening of muscle mass and atrophy that come with age. To confirm this, a study was carried out at the University of Iowa (USA) published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
The two molecules identified by scientists are the ursolic acid, contained in the skin of the apples, and tomatidine, in the green tomatoes. These two compounds are able to counteract the activity of a protein associated with the aging process of skeletal muscles.
The findings emerged in a survey of experimental models. ATF4 protein is a transcription factor that influences the expression of some genes linked to the aging of skeletal muscles. In the past the same researchers had studied the action of tomatidine and ursolic acid in preventing muscle atrophy caused by inactivity and starvation. The aim of the research was to investigate the role of these two molecules in the process of muscle weakening due to age.
Nutrition and exercise in the battle against muscle aging
If the results of the research were to be confirmed, the authors point out that due to the evidence, we might consider using tomatidine and ursolic acid in special diets or as supplementation.
“We are in an experimental phase with information which must be further validated. Fruits and vegetables are essential to the welfare of all, if the results were to be confirmed then these foods would also help prevent ageing muscles,” explains professor Daniela Lucini, head of the Section of Medicine for the Humanitas hospital. “In order to counteract the weakening of aging muscles – he added – we can rely on physical activity and nutrition, but with certain characteristics.”
“With increasing age the muscular mass undergoes a massive loss. This process, which is inevitable, depends on various factors and in particular how much physical activity a person undergoes. Therefore, to slow ageing muscles you can do muscle toning exercises with aerobic physical activity. A good combination between these two types of exercise is swimming”, suggests the Professor.
What kind of food is useful against aging muscles?
“Definitely protein foods within a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables: meat, especially white, fish, eggs and legumes. Be careful though with legumes. Excluding those with intestinal disturbance, a warning for everyone is that in addition to proteins, legumes contain carbohydrates and therefore a higher caloric intake then that of fish for example”, concludes Professor Lucini.
