Apples are among the most widely consumed fruits in the world and are often associated with health and disease prevention.
For many years, they have been a symbol of a healthy lifestyle, but modern research paints a more nuanced picture of their significance.
What can apples contribute?
According to the BBC, apples contain several substances that may have a positive effect on the body.
These include dietary fibre such as pectin, as well as plant compounds known as polyphenols.
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These substances may help lower cholesterol levels and promote more stable blood sugar levels.
A review of five different studies from 2017, published in Food & Function, showed that people who ate apples regularly had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Another review from 2022, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, suggested that apples and apple products can reduce cholesterol if they are consumed regularly over time as part of the diet.
Not a miracle cure
Although the results point in a positive direction, researchers stress that it is difficult to demonstrate strong health effects from a single food item.
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Health depends on the overall diet and lifestyle as a whole.
Nutrition professor Janet Colson explains, according to the BBC, that apples are not rich in all vitamins, but that they contain many different compounds which together may benefit the body.
At the same time, apples are easy to obtain, inexpensive, and convenient to eat in everyday life.
What the point is
A study from 2015, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that people who ate an apple a day did not visit the doctor less frequently.
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However, they did use less prescription medication, even after accounting for social differences, according to the BBC.
This suggests that apples may play a role in the long term, but not as a guarantee against illness.
Their value lies in the fact that they are a simple component of a varied, plant-based diet.
Sources: BBC, Food & Function, Frontiers in Nutrition, and JAMA Internal Medicine.
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