An apple a day keeps the doctor away – or does it?

Apples are the most widely eaten fruit in the world, but are they really that healthy? Dutoit Agri, one of the biggest local apple producers, says yes…and they have five health-related reasons why you really should have an apple a day:

1. Apple juice against Alzheimer’s:  A study on the benefits of apples shows that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain.
2. Curb cancers: Scientists from the American Association for Cancer Research  agree that eating flavonoid-rich apples could help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 23 percent. And don’t peel your apples, as researchers at Cornell University have identified several compounds in the apple peel that have potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon, and breast. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. recommends a high fibre intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
3. Healthier heart:  Plant chemicals, especially in the apple peel, combined with pectin fibre can help to protect against free radical damage in the heart and blood vessels and have cholesterol-lowering effects.
4. Decrease diabetes risk: Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t eat apples on a regular basis. 
5. Boost your immune system: Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help strengthen your immune system, especially when you’re stressed out.