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Fact Files : The New Superfood ..... The Apple!Julie Albrecht, Accredited Practising Dietitian“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is an old wives’ tale that now carries significant new weight, with recent studies providing scientific evidence supporting the remarkable health benefits of apples. Apples are a powerhouse of antioxidants and other protective plant components. They contain a variety of phytochemical compounds, including quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid. It is these components that have been linked to the playing a key role in reducing chronic disease risk.
CancerIn population studies apples are one of the very few individual foods identified as having the capacity to reduce cancer risk and more specifically lung cancer. Research has shown that individuals who consume an apple a day or more had reduced risk of different cancers, including oral oesophageal, larynx, breast, ovary, prostate and colorectal. Cardiovascular DiseaseThere are numerous studies that have identified the CV benefits of eating apples. Apple intake has been associated with a reduction in the risk of both CVD and CV events. The women’s health Study surveyed nearly 4000 women with a more than 6 year follow up, and identified a 13 – 22 % reduction in CVD risk in women ingesting apples. The flavanoid component has also been shown to decrease the risk of mortality for both CHD and CVD among post menopausal women. Respiratory Health Apple consumption has been consistently linked to the protection against asthma. The protective effect is found with current asthma and bronchial hyperactivity. This mechanism is not fully understood – the protective benefits appear to be related to the flavanoid content. Research has also shown a beneficial link between apple intake during pregnancy and wheeze and asthma at five years of age. DiabetesA study conducted in 2005 showed that consumption of one or more apples per day resulted in a 28% reduction in the risk of developing Type II diabetes. Higher quercetin intake – a major component of apple skin – was also associated with reduced risk. Antiproliferative Effects Apple also has antiproliferative effects on human cancer cells. Red delicious apple extracts inhibit cell proliferation by 50% while the fuji apple extracts inhibit it by 39%. Other research has also shown the capacity of apple phytochemicals to inhibit the proliferation of Caco-2 human colon cancer cells. It has been identified that the peel of the apple has a high phenolic content with a high antioxidant and high antiproliferative activity. These benefits are less effective when apple skin is removed. Research has identified the plausible antiproliferative mechanism is linked to the inhibition of the NF-kB signalling. Apple extract has also been shown to inhibit the TNF-a induced NF-kB activiation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and significantly inhibits proteasomal activity of MCF-7 cells. This highlights a possible role of the apple as an adjunct to chemotherapy and assistance in the removal of potentially cancerous cells. Inhibition of Lipid oxidationThe antioxidant capacity of the apple in vivo has been demonstrated by a reduction in DPHPC oxidation after the ingestion of apples. Pearson et al examined the effects of six commercial apple juices, and red delicious apples. While LDL oxidation inhibition varied from 9 - 34% between brands of fruit juice, whole apples inhibited LDL oxidation by 34% as did apple peels, while the flesh of the apple showed less inhibition at 21 %. Given the powerful multifaceted health benefits of the apple, An Apple a day … should be a key public health message. ReferenceShane Landon APD (2008): The Apple Report – A Nutrition and Health Review |
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