There is now clear research showing what we always suspected; that an apple a day is good for your health, and that two a day may be even better.

Here are a few of the healthy facts about apples: 

Cholesterol reduction:
Apples and apple juice contain phenolic compounds (phytochemicals) that act as antioxidants against LDL (low-density lipoproteins), the "bad" cholesterol that clogs arteries. Antioxidants reduce or prevent oxidation in certain cells, thus preventing cell or tissue damage. Eating apples not only lowers cholesterol, it also improves the ratio of beneficial high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to harmful LDL. 
- Life Sciences (April 16, 1999)

Apples are also an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fibre found in most fruits and vegetables. A number of nutrition studies have proven that pectin helps reduce cholesterol.
Early research indicates that D-glucaric acid, an ingredient in apples, may be a natural regulator of cholesterol. A diet rich in D-glucaric acid can help reduce damaging LDL by up to 35 percent. 
- Nutrition Research

Cancer prevention & healthy lungs:
There is growing evidence that eating apples may help prevent lung cancer. The US National Cancer Institute has reported that foods containing flavonoids like those found in apples may reduce the risk of lung cancer by as much as 50 percent. Apples have the highest concentration of flavonoids of any fruit. A Cornell University study found that phytochemicals from the skin of an apple inhibited the reproduction of colon cancer cells by 43 percent. These findings supported earlier research which indicated that antioxidant flavonoids appeared to reduce the incidence of lung cancer. 
- Journal of the National Cancer Institute (January, 2000)
- Nature (June, 2000)
- Amercian Journal of Epidemiology (1997)

A British study of Welsh men indicated that people who eat at least five apples per week experience better lung function. It's not certain why apple eaters could breath more easily, but researchers believe antioxidants contained in apples may ward off disease by countering oxygen's damaging effect on the body. 
- Thorax (January, 2000)


Heart disease & stroke prevention:
A Finnish study published in 1996 showed that people who eat a diet rich in flavonoids (in which apples are very high) have a lower incidence of heart disease. Other studies indicate that flavonoids may help prevent strokes. 
- The British Medical Journal (1996)

Weight loss:
Apples are a delicious source of dietary fibre, and dietary fibre helps digestion and promotes weight loss. A medium apple contains about five grams of fibre, more than most cereals. Consuming apples leads to a slowing down of the absorbtion of fast-acting sugars like glucose. This means that the body needs less insulin which results in less fat storage and a lower tendency to being overweight.

Dental health:
Condensed tannins are found in apple juice. Tannins have anti-adhesion properties that may help prevent periodontal or gum disease because they inhibit some bacteria from bonding to each other and producing dental plaque. Tannins also may help prevent urinary tract infections and reduce the risk of heart disease. 
-Journal of the American Dental Association (1998)

Do you feel healthy after reading all of this? Perhaps it’s time you had another apple!