According to the Washington Apple Commission, the average U.S. consumer eats about 19 pounds of fresh apples a year—about one apple per week.

Studies suggest that eating apples is associated with:

• Whole body health. Studies show that the fiber and phytonutrients in apples lower blood cholesterol, improve bowel function, and may be associated with reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, prostate cancer, type II diabetes, and asthma. bestapples.com


• Reduced risk of heart disease. A U.S. study examined the government's largest food consumption and health database. It found that adult apple-product consumers had a 27 percent decreased likelihood of having metabolic syndrome, compared to non-consumers. Metabolic syndrome is defined as having three or more of the associated symptoms related to cardiovascular risk, including elevated blood pressure, increased waist size and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Sources include bestapples.com and The British Medical Journal (1996)


• Reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Several studies show that apple consumption is linked with reduced prostate, colon, and lung cancers. Sources include bestapples.com, Carcinogenesis (March, 2001), Nature (June, 2000), and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (January, 2000)


• Improved lung function. Two recent British studies indicate that people who eat at least five apples per week experience better lung function and have a lower risk for respiratory disease. Sources include American Thoracic Society Meeting (May, 2001) and Thorax (January, 2000)


• Weight Loss. Apples contain almost zero fat and cholesterol; they are a delicious snack and dessert food that's good for you. Source bestapples.com

Need more reasons to eat more fruits and vegetables? Try these 10 reasons.