Eating One Apple a Day May Help Protect Heart Health, Study Finds

Islamabad: Eating one apple every day may help reduce the risk of heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, according to a new international study.

The research, conducted jointly by Harvard Medical School, the University of California, and the University of Reading, found that adding apples, plums, blueberries, cherries, and green tea to a daily diet can support cardiovascular health.

Researchers said these foods are rich in flavonols, naturally occurring plant compounds that are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

The study analyzed dietary data from more than 30,000 participants and found that fewer than 20 percent of people consumed enough flavonols to achieve the potential heart-health benefits, even among those who regularly ate fruits and vegetables.

According to the findings, an adequate intake of flavonols was linked to a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The researchers noted that simply increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may not be enough unless flavonol-rich foods are included in the diet.

The study recommends eating one apple a day or drinking one cup of green tea daily as simple ways to increase flavonol intake.

Other foods identified as rich sources of flavonols include plums, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and cherries.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Food & Function. Researchers noted that while these foods can contribute to heart health as part of a balanced diet, they are not a substitute for medical treatment or other healthy lifestyle measures.