An Apple a Day Slashes Risk of Dying by 35percent
Your elementary science teacher is right - an apple a day keeps the doctor away. In fact, just eating grams of this fibre-rich fruit can slash mortality rate by 35 per cent. That’s the recent finding of the researchers from University of Western Australia who examined the health habits of 1,456 female participants aged 70-85 for fifteen years.
Researchers found that a variety of different fruits when consumed on a daily basis gave moderate health benefits.
An apple a day really keeps the doctor away. And researchers attribute its health benefits to high concentrations of fibre and flavonoids in the skin of apples which are linked to artery relaxation, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and a reduced cancer risk. Apples are also a good source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C.
‘Apples are amongst the top contributors to total flavonoid intake’, said Dr Jonathan Hodgson, University of Western Australia.
’We have previously shown that flavonoid intake from apple skin improved artery relaxation.
’We have now shown that higher apple intake was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and cancer mortality in older women.’
Flavonoids are widely regarded for their antioxidant effect which is necessary for cell damage repair. The study shows lower risk of all-cause mortality and cancer mortality in older women who eat apples regularly.
These essential compounds are also known for their anti-inflammatory health benefit and their role in supporting the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
It’s not just apples
The benefits don’t only apply to apples. Other fruits and vegetables also contain flavonoids. They include berries, pears, strawberries and radishes. Flavonoids are also present in onions, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, almonds and quinoa.
The study also found that flavonoids may help reduce the energy - particularly from sugar - that is absorbed from food.
©Copyright 2015 by http://blog.naturaltherapyforall.com/Nutritional Therapy Wakefield Rights Reserved