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Guavas, broccoli sprouts and blueberries have all been touted as the latest superfood. But when it comes to your health, don't forget the humble apple languishing in the fruit bowl.

Today is Apple Day and here is why there's some truth in the old adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Cholesterol

Apples can help to keep LDL-cholesterol - the bad type - at bay. When women aged between 45 and 65 ate 75g of dried apples a day, their LDL-cholesterol fell by an average of 23 per cent, according to a study at Florida State University.

In addition, the apple eater's HDL-cholesterol - the good type - increased by four per cent. Even the researchers were astounded by the results, describing apples as a 'miracle fruit.'

Cancer

We all know we should be eating our five-a-day, just make sure you include an apple. Apples are packed with antioxidants which help to scavenge free radicals, molecules which can damage DNA and tissue.
Apples contain vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, but most of the apple's antioxidant and anti-cancer activity comes from flavonoids and polyphenols present in the peel and the flesh. A study at Cornell University estimated the antioxidant activity of 100g of apple to be the equivalent of 1500mg of vitamin C.
Apple extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of liver, lung, colon and breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Just make sure you eat the peel.

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