I’m sure most people have heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But is there any truth to that claim? Apples happen to be one of my favorite fruits, so I usually eat at least one a day. This being said, I wondered if eating them was actually keeping me healthier.

Research on this claim shows that there may not be an association between eating apples every day and staying away from the doctor, but apples do have many other health benefits. There is substantial evidence showing that apples are helpful in fighting off illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and many others.

Studies around the world have found a link 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.” (Killoran) Another study showed that apples may also reduce 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.” (Killoran) Eating something as simple as an apple is an easy precautionary measure to take, so you never have to face these illnesses.

Not only does eating apples help prevent disease but “daily apple eaters were also more likely to successfully avoid prescription medication use (47.7% versus 41.8%).” (MacGill) Although the claim “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” did not have enough substantial evidence, the association between eating apples and visiting the pharmacist for perscriptions less frequently was supported by statistical analysis.

So, why do apples give us these great health benefits? The reason is because apples are packed full of antioxidants and nutrients. “Recently published research from Cornell University found that rat brain cells exposed to quercetin, an antioxidant in apples, resisted damage much better than cells not treated with quercetin.” (Killoran) The antioxidants help fight off illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, because those illnesses are caused by oxidative stress.

There is also good data showing “that the soluble fiber in apples can help prevent cholesterol from building up on artery walls. Apples contain a good amount of potassium, which can be beneficial for those who are watching their blood pressure.” (Pendick) Due to these benefits, researchers and professors from prestigious colleges advise people to eat apples, over any other fruit or vegetable, in order to protect yourself against these common health problems.

Apples may not keep us away from the doctor, but they are a good snack that has been proven to benefit people’s health and well being. These benefits should be enough to convince people that it might be time to start eating apples every day or at least once in a while.