Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Powerful scientific evidence says that yes, this in fact true.
As vegans we know that it's extremely important to make sure that we are getting a well-balanced meal three or more times a day. And, when you look at the nutrition that comes from simply eating apples, you'll find that they are particularly good at fending off various diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
That's because there are antioxidants in apples that resist damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals, products of normal cell processes, can damage and sometimes destroy the molecules they react with. (Known as oxidative stress or oxidative damage.)
"Cancer and cardiovascular disease are thought to be in part the results of oxidative stress, so foods like apples and other fruits and vegetables, rich in antioxidants, may be especially helpful in warding off these diseases," as cited on the www.pritikin.com site.
An apple a day…
The Pritikin site goes on to report that several studies have found an association between apple consumption and reduced risk of cancer, especially lung cancer. In the Nurses Health Study, involving more than 77,000 women in the United States, those who consumed at least one serving per day of apples and/or pears had a reduced risk of lung cancer. In a study in Hawaii, apple and onion intake was linked with a reduced risk of lung cancer in both men and women.
Studies have also linked apple intake with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Women’s Health Study, which surveyed nearly 40,000 women, found that women eating an apple a day had a 13 to 22% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk.
“To protect yourself against cardiovascular disease and several forms of cancer, it’s important to include at least seven servings – and preferably more – of fruits and vegetables in your diet every day, but if there’s one particular type of fruit you want to make sure you eat every day, it’s an apple. Better yet, eat two,” advises Dr. James Barnard, UCLA professor and researcher, member of the Pritikin Scientific Advisory Board, and author of more than 190 studies on diet, exercise, and disease prevention.