The Role Of Apples In Preventative Health

Apples have long been a symbol of good health, and researchers around the world are taking notice. Emerging apple research has emphasized the role of apples in preventing disease at a time when consumers are looking to “keep the doctor away” and combat the onset of life-threatening ailments.

Scientists are discovering that apples are not only fat free, cholesterol free, and rich in fiber, but they are also loaded with potent antioxidants. While the study of apple-specific antioxidants as related to diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and type-2 diabetes is ongoing, the apparent health benefits of whole apples and apple juice have propelled the fruit’s reputation as an easy, convenient, and delicious way to help stave off illness.

Of late, research has pointed to a positive link between apple consumption and lung health. A recent study in the UK suggests that mothers who eat apples during pregnancy may protect their children from developing asthma later in life. The study, which tracked the dietary intake of more than 1200 pregnant women, examined the effects of the maternal diet on airway development in children at the age of 5. Of all the foods evaluated in this research, no other consistent associations were found between prenatal consumption and wheeze, a symptom of asthma.

This is not the first time apples have been linked to lung health. Previous findings have indicated that consumers of apples have better lung function and lower risk of respiratory disease than non-consumers.

In 2004, the National Institutes of Health reported that eating fiber-rich foods and flavonoids may reduce chronic coughs and other respiratory ailments. A 2007 study performed by experts from the UK, Greece, and Spain looked at the dietary habits of 700 children to determine a possible relationship between diet and lung function in children. Results suggest that a “Mediterranean diet,” which includes apples, protects against wheezing and allergic rhinitis. Moreover, recent research funded by the UK Department of Health has linked consumption of apple juice by children to decreased wheeze. Among other studies, findings by Australian researchers suggest that apples may also protect against asthma in adults.

Heart Healthy, Too

In addition to lung benefits, the apple’s unique nutrient composition has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. While we have known that fiber-containing fruits like apples may reduce the risk of heart disease, scientists now suggest that the flavonoids in apples may also contribute to a healthy heart.

Flavonoid-rich apples have been found to be among the few foods associated with a decreased risk of mortality for both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease when the dietary intake of 34,000 postmenopausal women was evaluated in research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The health benefits of apples are not lost on consumers. A recent Produce Marketing Association survey found that nearly half of consumers surveyed planned to eat more produce — of those, apples were the top choice, as 39% specifically planned to increase their apple consumption. About 76% of those planning to eat more produce cited health benefits as the main reason, while 13% attributed their plans to diet and weight loss. Fresh Trends 2007 reported that apples have moved into second place as the most popular fruit, up from third place in 2006.

While the delicious taste of a crisp, juicy apple remains the most enticing reason to eat more apples, consumers will get an added bonus with great nutrition, too, as research continues to showcase the apple’s healthful ways. To learn more about the health benefits of apples and apple products, visit the U.S. Apple Association Web site at www.usapple.org.