Researchers have shown how eating an apple a day can keep your arteries healthy. Hardening of the arteries is no laughing matter, but just eating an apple each day can be a very tasty preventative measure, and keep your doctor (or cardiologist) away!

The bad LDL cholesterol

The results of a recent case study indicated that the adult blood levels of a substance linked to hardening of the arteries were lowered by 40%, in a group that ate apples every day for a period of four weeks. This substance, they found, lowered oxidised LDL or low-density lipoprotein (the bad cholesterol). In the study, which took place at Ohio State University, the study group (including non-smoking, healthy adults between 40 - 60) were divided into three groups:

• The first group took capsules containing 194 milligrams of antioxidants known as polyphenols (present in apples).
• The second group ate a large Red or Golden Delicious apple each day for 4 weeks.
• The third group took placebos.

The LDL cholesterol study results

• The third placebo group did not experience any change in their oxidised LDL levels.
• The first polyphenol group experienced a reduction in their oxidised LDL levels
• The second group, who simply consumed an apple each day experienced the greatest reduction (40%) in their oxidised LDL levels

Since apples contain polyphenols, it is evident that these results support apples’ cholesterol-reducing abilities and that it is more effective to consume the whole apple than just one of its ingredients.

The dangers of oxidised LDL cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is generally more likely to promote inflammation and could possibly cause tissue damage when it becomes oxidized. This may occur when LDL cholesterol interacts with free radicals. Then Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries can begin. Eating just one apple a day prevents this oxidation process.

Apples to the rescue

In the study, which took place at Ohio State University, adults were divided into two groups. One group took capsules containing 194 milligrams of antioxidants known as polyphenols (present in apples). The second group took placebos.  The placebo group did not experience any change in their oxidised LDL levels, whereas the other group did. However, the polyphenol group did not experience results as profound as simply consuming an apple each day. Since apples contain polyphenols, it is evident that these results support apples’ cholesterol-reducing abilities.

Take a bite

Apples are not only delicious, but also nutritious. Apples assist in digestion and intestinal balancing and have a multitude of beneficial effects, which is why eating them keeps the doctor away and your arteries in good condition too! If you have more questions about good and bad cholesterol as well as healthy diet recommendations you can always ‘Ask a Naturopath’ atMr Vitamins.