"SPACE" JUICE-SPIN OFF FROM SPACE EXPLORATION PROGRAMS

Recent splashing of a news item in popular media regarding the effectiveness of a fruit juice blend evolved by NASA in the US for consumption by their astronauts during space travel in improving the health of human skin created lot of excitement among people concerned with the progressive deterioration of skin during the aging process. Of course the cosmetic industry is also interested in marketing products that can improve skin health without use of chemicals having any side effects. NASA's interest was, of course, not keeping their astronauts young but to protect them from the ill effects of radiation encountered in outer space. The juice blend named AS10, probably because it has about 10 fruit juices mixed in some proportion to make use of the high antioxidant properties exhibited by the fruits from which juice is extracted and these fruits containing high levels of anthocyanins are known to have excellent anti oxidant properties as measured by in vitro studies. These fruits include Cupuacu, acai, acerola, prickly pear, yumberry , grape and pomegranate besides some vegetables and green tea extract. Though this product was being used in space flights, its civilian use has not yet been established so far. Probably it is a question of time before an entirely new industry is spawned around this innovative product. Here is a take on this development about which lot will be heard in the coming days.

"These startling images may prove that a fruit drink developed by Nasa to protect astronauts from radiation can rejuvenate the skin. A groundbreaking study has shown that the concoction, known as AS10, dramatically reduces wrinkles, blemishes and sun damage after four months. Visia photographs – which reveal the condition of the skin below the surface by using different types of light exposure – were taken of 180 participants at the start of the trial, and again after four months of drinking two shots of AS10 a day. By the end UV spots were reduced by 30 per cent and wrinkles by 17 per cent. AS10 was developed as a nutritional supplement for astronauts to protect them from the damaging effects of high levels of radiation outside the Earth's atmosphere. The drink contains a blend of fruits including cupuacu (a Brazilian fruit from the cacao plant family), acai, acerola, prickly pear and yumberry, which all provide vitamins and phytochemicals – compounds known to block the harmful effects of radiation. Other ingredients are grape, green tea, pomegranate and vegetables. Radiation particles alter oxygen molecules in the body to create reactive oxygen species (ROS) – so-called 'free radicals' which damage cells in a process known as oxidative stress. This process has been linked to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. The toxic molecules are also thought to play a role in the skin ageing process. ROS are created naturally within the body as cells generate energy, but also through environmental factors such as chemicals and ultraviolet light from the sun – the strongest stress to skin. Mobile phone radiation, cigarette smoke and alcohol also generate ROS. Space-age: AS10 was developed in conjunction with Nasa for the Astronaut Programme to ensure they received enough fruit and vegetables 'Think of them as little Pac-men taking bites out of molecules that are essential for cells to function,' says Dr Aaron Barson, the nutritional scientist from Utah who carried out the AS10 study after patients reported dramatic improvement from the drink.AS10 is thought to improve skin condition because the drink's large quantities of antioxidants ward off oxidative stress, allowing the skin to heal naturally. Antioxidants attach themselves to ROS and neutralise them before they cause damage.  Dr Barson says: 'The skin is the first body tissue to be exposed to UV rays and we know it is sensitive to oxidative stress. Our study shows it greatly benefits from a reduction in this stress. The effects of oxidative stress on the skin can be quickly modified and the skin can heal itself by drinking AS10.' Dr Barson suggests that the results may have been even better had the trial been conducted during the winter, when exposure to ultraviolet light would have been less.  A second, larger study is planned this summer to investigate for how long the effects last and whether skin condition reaches a plateau or deteriorates once the drink is no longer consumed.  The main drawback is the high price of the drink. The women in the trial drank a sherry glass – 60ml – of AS10 a day. At £30 per 750ml bottle, the cost was just under £300 over the four months. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting says: 'The Visia scans show a marked improvement in the level of UV spots, which represent sun damage beneath the surface of the skin. The kind of interventions that might deliver this level of improvement are glycolic skin peels, which use acids to strip away layers of skin, retinoids, high-potency Vitamin C and hydroquinone with the use of sun block on a daily basis. 'If these changes were due to AS10, this would be of great interest as UV is responsible for 80 per cent of the skin changes we associate with ageing.' She adds that although AS10 might well do what it claims, a critical appraisal of the methods in the study would be required to back this up. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Mervyn Patterson, of Woodford Medical, agrees. He says: 'These images show a reduction in the degree of pigmentation on the skin caused by UV exposure. This could be due to the drink.' But he says daily use of sunscreen with UVB/UVA sun protection factor of 50+ could deliver results on a par with AS10. 'It is more likely to protect the skin, resulting in reductions in redness and pigmentation and a subtle reduction in wrinkles.'"

Scientifically the principle based on which this product was designed is sound as most of the fruits used contain large amounts of the colored pigments anthocyanins which are known to have high antioxidant properties. There are a number of variants among anthocyanins and each fruit has a compliment of these phytochemicals in different proportions with varying properties and their absorption across the intestine and further metabolism remain unclear. Probably this may the reason why multiple sources of anthocyanins are used to formulate this juice product. As the report suggests the existing data may not be sufficient to make any definite  health claims and much more studies need to be carried out with large scale clinical trials to conclusively establish the beneficial effect of AS10. Also not clear is whether this product is curative in nature or can be a preventive material that can ensure continued health benefits if taken regularly. The cosmetic products industry which has a plethora of products under the Sun-screen category may not be immediately interested unless AS10 is dried without adversely affecting its beneficial properties, for easy incorporation into cream type of consumer friendly product for external application. One of the imponderable factors that may come in the way of successful marketing of AS10 is its manufacturing cost which at present is considered exorbitant for most consumers. Probably increased volume of production by the organized sector may bring down the cost significantly if the product establishes itself as a reliable health oriented product with long term benefits.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
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