Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? According to a
Canadian government study it does.
Researchers measured the levels of antioxidants in eight varieties
of apples and found that the Red Delicious variety -- the most common
kind grown in the United States and the easiest to find -- is packed
with the highest concentrations of the health-enhancing chemicals.
In fact, the skin of the Red Delicious apple has more than six times
the amount of antioxidants than the flesh.
Comparing Varieties
Though antioxidants are believed to help fight certain diseases,
more research is needed to establish whether quantity alone counts.
(The study didn't take into consideration whether antioxidants in
some apples may be better absorbed than others.)
Regardless, in every variety tested, the skins of the apples contained
substantially higher levels of antioxidants than the flesh; the
Northern Spy variety ranked top in antioxidant content in the flesh,
while the Red Delicious came in third. The variations in antioxidant
levels among apples -- second to bananas in overall popularity --
can be attributed to differences in:
- Geography
- Growing seasons
- Genetic predispositions
And while apples have significantly lower concentrations of antioxidants
than other fruits, particularly many berries, researchers believe
their year-round availability and greater popularity might make
them an ideal source of antioxidants for many people.
Journal
of Agricultural and Food Chemistry May 14, 2005
MSNBC
June 5, 2005
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