Apples…
Amazing Health Benefits

Apples are one of the very few foods specifically identified in large human studies as having the capacity to reduce the risk of disease.

Usually these studies show that "fruits" generally were protective or "vegetables" collectively reduced a disease risk. But apples are different—they have been identified directly in a number of very important studies to help reduce disease risk.

Each juicy Apple contains

Cancer

Apples and compounds contained in apples—called flavonoids, have been linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer in a number of different human studies where large numbers of people were involved.

In one study, women who consumed at least one apple serving per day had a reduced lung cancer risk while a study from Hawaii showed apple intake was associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer in both males and females.

In fact, in the Hawaiian study, apples (along with onions and white grapefruit) reduced lung cancer risk by 40-50% in both men and women while no protective associations were seen for red wine, green or black tea.

Apples may also offer some protection against other types of cancer with a recent study showing the intake of apples was consistently associated with a reduction in risk.

Of course, in addition to eating apples we need to follow a healthy and varied diet that contains plenty of other plant foods like vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grain cereals, be physically active and avoid becoming overweight.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for 36 per cent of all deaths in Australia in 2004. It kills one Australian every ten minutes.

Eating apples has been linked to a reduction in CVD risk of up to 22% in women who were part of a large survey conducted over a number of years. Two other studies of women also showed a reduction in heart disease risk with apples and the compounds found in apples.

Importantly men can also benefit from apple intake with apple flavonoids strongly linked to a reduced mortality from heart disease.

Asthma and Lung Health

Asthma is a significant health problem in Australia with around 2 million people having the condition. An Australian study showed that eating whole apples protected against asthma—a finding that is consistent with a number of other studies. Plus, it seems that apples can help generally improve lung health—quite apart from asthma.

A new study also suggests that mothers who eat apples during pregnancy may protect their children from developing asthma later in life.

Diabetes

Just one apple a day resulted in a 28% reduction in risk for Type 2 Diabetes compared to those who did not eat apples in a large study. Along with another European study that also showed apples help to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes as well as the compounds found in apple skins, the message to include apples is compelling indeed.

Weight Loss

Keen to loose a few kilo’s?

Then try this!

Eat an apple before each meal for a few weeks and then watch your body weight.