Eating An 'Apple A Day' Doesn't Keep The Doctor Away, But It Does Reduce Your Pharmacy Visits, Study Finds

Does An 'Apple A Day' Really Keep The Doctor Away?

Eating an apple a day doesn't keep the doctor away, but it does reduce the amount of trips you make to the pharmacy per year.

That's according to a new study that investigates whether there's any truth in the old saying.

A team of researchers led by Dr Matthew Davis, of the University of Michigan School of Nursing, asked 8,399 participants to answer survey questions around diet and health.

A total of 753 were apple eaters, consuming at least 149g of raw apple per day. The remaining 7,646 were classed as non-apple eaters.

When both groups answered questions on trips to the doctor and trips to the pharmacy per year, the apple eaters were found to be 27% less likely to visit the pharmacist for drugs.

Trips to the doctor were not significantly affected by apple consumption, though.

"Evidence does not support that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, the small fraction of US adults who eat an apple a day do appear to use fewer prescription medications," the study concludes.

Apple eaters were also found to be less likely to smoke and be more likely to have a higher educational attainment than non-apple eaters.

While apples do not rival oranges, they do contain some immune system-boosting vitamin C, which may be why apple-eaters visit the pharmacist less.

With over 8mg of vitamin C per medium-sized fruit, an apple can provide roughly 14% your daily recommended intake.

Previous studies have also linked apple consumption to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, improved lung function and a lower risk of colon cancer.

Scroll through the slideshow below to find out how else apples could improve your health.

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