The old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away might be more true that we realized. Thats according to researchers at Rush University Medical Center, who recently published the results of a study in the Jan. 29 online issue of Neurology.

According to a report, 921 people with an average age of 81 participated in the Neurology study. The participants did not have Alzheimer’s dementia when starting the study.

Those who consume flavonol, which is found in nearly all fruits and vegetables, as well as in tea and wine, may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the researchers.

“More research is needed to confirm these results, but these are promising findings,” said study author Thomas M. Holland, MD, of the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging.

Flavonols are known for their beneficial effects on health due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.