An apple a day ...

There are many reasons to eat fruits and vegetables. A recent study from Finland suggests that flavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables, can reduce risk of chronic disease. Flavonoids often work as antioxidants and can protect against oxidative damage that may lead to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Flavonoid intakes of more than 10,000 people were measured and their rates of various diseases close to 30 years later were assessed. The death rate from heart disease was lower in those with higher flavonoid intakes. Of all the dietary sources of flavonoids, apples appeared to be most associated with reduced risk of death from heart disease. Stroke rates were also lower with higher intakes of flavonoids. Prostate cancer and breast cancer risk appeared to be lower with higher intakes of certain flavonoids. Flavonoids, and their apparent effects on a number of chronic diseases, provide another reason to eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Knekt P, Kumpulainen J, Jarvinen R, et al. 2002. Flavonoid intake and risk of chronic diseases. Amer J of Clin Nutr 76:560-568.