Eating Apples Is Key to Longer Life in Women, Study Claims

Scientists at the University of Western Australia tracked 1,456 women aged 70 to 85 for 15 years. Results showed that those who ate at least 100 grams of an apple, which is also equal to one apple a day, increased their life span. However, women who ate less than 5 grams of apple a day did not experience any health benefits.

 

Apples may help to prolong life because of their high levels of fiber and flavonoids. Fiber, found in the flesh of the apple, has been linked to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as reduced cancer risk. 

 

Dr. Jonathan Hodgson, researcher at the School of Medicine and Pharmacology, said: "Apples are amongst the top contributors to total flavonoid intake."

 

Flavonoids are antioxidants which help in preventing cells from being damaged. They are concentrated in the skin and are often found in fruits like apples, berries and even in vegetables like radishes. Flavonoids help to relax blood vessels and have been linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

The researchers examined the impact of apples because they are a commonly consumed fruit. 

"Apples are a healthy fruit that are contributing to better health and potentially longer life expectancy," Dr. Hodgson revealed. "We have now shown that higher apple intake was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and cancer mortality in older women."

 

Apples are also a good source of magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Regularly eating just one apple a day could show improvement to those who are having issues with their arteries. The fruit has the ability to relax that part of the body, which could eventually regulate blood pressure and normalize blood flow.

 

While the findings focused on apples, there was evidence that suggested fruit intake of any kind would lead to better health: "We attempted to account for those factors," Dr Hodgson said. "There probably is an element not only of the components in the apples that are contributing, but also that apple intake is related to healthier lifestyle generally."