by Dr. Jonny Bowden
Grandma was right: An apple a day really does keep the doctor away. And, as it turns out, probably a whole lot more than just the doctor. New research examined the dietary habits of over 34,000 women in the Iowa Women’s Health Study and found that three foods stood out for their significant ability to lower both the risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease: Apples, pears and red wine.
The reason? Plant compounds called flavonoids. Based on food-frequency questionnaires and data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, researchers were able to approximate the flavonoid consumption of the women and calculate the impact of those flavonoids on their health. The results were impressive. Flavonoid-rich foods like apples were associated with significant reduction in heart disease and overall mortality.
The most abundant, most bioavailable and most studied of these flavonoids is a compound called quercetin. Apples are a significant source of quercetin, which has quite a resume of health benefits.
The quercetin in the apple is in the peel. The peel prevents the harmful effects of the UV rays of the sun from hurting the fruit and also prevents microbes from getting in. So quercetin is the first line of defense for the apple. It appears to have many of these same protective effects on human cells, acting as both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
This is significant. In cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oxidation hasten the process of plaque buildup. So anything that reduces inflammation and oxidation, like quercetin and the other flavonoids in apples, is going to help.
And as an added bonus, quercetin’s antioxidant properties impact the immune system and react against cancer cells as well. Quercetin has been linked to a reduction in the risk of lung cancer.
So be sure to indulge in this fall’s apple crop. And remember — the good stuff is in the peel.
This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise's Total Health Breakthroughs, offering alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com
[Ed. note: Dr. Bowden is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health. He's a board certified nutrition specialist with a Master's degree in psychology. Dr. Bowden is also a life coach, motivational speaker, former personal trainer and author of the award-winning book, Living the Low Carb Life. For more information, click here. ]
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