By IANS
Washington : There is, it appears, more than an element of truth in the old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away. A new study has found that eating an apple a day – or drinking its juice – is a sound way of maintaining a slimmer waistline and insuring oneself against high BP and cardiac disease.
Apple eaters had a 21 percent reduced risk of increased waist circumference, predictor of cardiovascular disease and increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome.
Additionally, they had significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels, another measurable marker related to cardiovascular risk.
These findings, presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting, were based on analysis of data collected under a 1999-2004 national survey in the US.
Victor Fulgoni, who analysed the data, noted that adults who eat apples and apple products have smaller waistlines that indicate less abdominal fat, lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for developing what is known as the metabolic syndrome.
Apple-eaters’ diets were healthier than non-consumers. They had a greater intake of fruit and key nutrients, including dietary fibre, vitamins A and C, calcium and potassium.
They had less total fat, saturated fat, discretionary fat and added sugars.