“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Clearly a phrase that if it worked it would out me out of business, unless I buy an apple farm. It is a common English phrase that first appeared in the 19th century 1866 in a prembrokeshire proverb, that suggests eating apples and healthy foods one would remain in good health. The original phrase was “ Eat an apple on going to bed, and you will keep the doctor from earning his bread”

Yet what is the scientific basis of this absurd phrase? Some studies have shown in fact that in comparison to when patients above 50 taking cholesterol lowering medication was able to reduce the bad cholesterol or LDL. One such study showed that people who ate an apple a day in fact did take lower medications.

An apple is 86% water and 14% carbs with no fat or protein and has significant fiber but low micronutrients. Cardiovascular disease are in part related to oxidative stress so foods that are rich in antioxidants such as quercitin, caffeine acid and epicatechin ) are good in combating heart disease. Apples also help boost the immune system and help to fend off allergens due to the antioxidants and the flavonoids ( which as lots of anti inflammatory effects).

Mind you that the benefits are from eating a raw apple and not from apple juice. Studies also demonstrated that those who ate an apple a day did reduce their frequency of doctor visits.

I used to think that the only reason one should eat an apple was if they were a parrot. Clearly since 1866 the thought has been otherwise, in other words to be healthy and keep the doctor away.

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