Can an apple a day really help keep the doctor away?   

Research says yes – especially long term and especially when we look at cardiovascular disease. Fruit and vegetables (my favourites) have long been associated with good health and the prevention of chronic health conditions. Evidence suggests it is the constituent of soluble fibre, pectin as well as the phytochemicals; polyphenols, and flavonoids in apples which are most beneficial for CVD prevention and progression.

• Pectin; a soluble fibre found in apples, is associated with the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations.
• The polyphenol compounds in apples are reported to be protective against CVD through their bioactive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with their proven ability to reduce total and LDL cholesterol.
• Flavonoids in apples possess many biochemical properties, including their capacity to act as antioxidants which can prevent against oxidative damage. Flavonoids are associated with blood pressure reduction, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and antiplatelet effects all properties associated with preventing disorders of the cardiovascular system and with reducing the risk of CVD.

Nagasako-Akazome et al. (2007) found in their randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled human study that polyphenols extracted from apples and hop bract (600mg/day) significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels suggesting that polyphenols inhibit the circulation of cholesterol and bile acid by binding to cholesterol and/or bile acid enhancing excretion and concluding that in addition to fibre, apple polyphenols could be responsible for the effect on plasma lipids.

I hope you enjoyed this 3 part series on some serious protectors of the cardiovascular system.

Have a beautiful day!

WellWithNature xxx