Apple a day increases life expectancy for women
Medical researchers who tracked the health of a group of women for 15 years have found eating an apple every day decreased their risk of mortality by 35 per cent.
The team from the University of Western Australia’s School of Medicine and Pharmacology asked a group of 1,456 women aged 70 to 85 to record their fruit intake.
The results showed that women who ate an apple every day had a 35 per cent lower risk of dying than those who did not eat apples at all.
The team looked at apples as they are the one of the most commonly consumed fruits.
Dr Jonathan Hodgson, part of the research group, said, "They also provide a significant contribution to a number of dietary factors that are thought to be important in relation to health – dietary fibre, flavonoids and vitamins like vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.”
While the findings looked only at apples, evidence does suggest that any fruit intake would lead to better health and a longer life.
"We also found that other fruit was associated with reduced risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease or cancer," Dr Hodgson said.
"Banana was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, as was total fruit intake.
"So I would encourage apples but also other fruit as well."
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