The AppleCare project was funded by the European Union with the aim of developing a new therapy for birch pollen allergy, based on apple consumption.
Birch pollen allergy is a widespread condition, affecting about one fifth of the population in Central Europe. Traditional therapy consists of taking medication or injections, which can have side effects and require constant effort on the part of the patient.
The AppleCare project was based on the idea that the immune system can be desensitised to the birch pollen allergen through the consumption of apples, which in fact contain small amounts of birch pollen-like proteins.
The results of the trial conducted within the AppleCare project were encouraging. Patients who followed the apple therapy reported a reduction in allergy symptoms and less use of medication.
The AppleCare project represents an important step forward in the search for new treatments for allergies. The results show that apple consumption can be an effective method to reduce birch pollen allergy symptoms.
Visit the project website: https://www.laimburg.it/it/progetti-pubblicazioni/applecare.asp
Find out more about this important and innovative project by listening to the ‘EU with YOU’ podcast: https://podcast.areanews24.it/podcast/areanews-eufactor.htm
‘EU with YOU’ is the Eu Factor Next podcast realised by Raduni, the Association of Italian University Radio Operators, to tell citizens at first hand how European funding is spent. In each episode the podcast will tell the story of a project funded by the European Union and its Cohesion Policy on the national territory.