We've all heard the old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." It's not just an old wives tale.
In a recent study, 6 people were placed on a diet low in antioxidants for 2 days, then followed with 600 grams of red-delicious, unpeeled apples. Their blood was taken at 0, 3, 6 and 24 hours after eating the apples. The researchers exposed their white blood cells to a significant oxidant stress in a test tube, and found that the apple consumption protected the cells. As the 24 hours passed, the protection decreased, so an apple each day is indeed needed.
Preventing damage to your white blood cells from oxidation helps prevent all kinds of illnesses. It's important to eat the peel as well, and if at all possible eat organic apples to avoid chemical sprays.
