An apple a day keeps the doctor away is how the saying goes — and researchers say there’s some truth to it.
Apples, along with berries, grapes and tea, protect heart health when consumed daily.
Scientists now advise people to consume the equivalent of an apple, some berries and two cups of tea per day.
This combination contains roughly 500mg of flavan-3-ols — a ‘bioactive’ compound said to be good for your heart.
A review of more than 150 studies concluded that the chemical, also found in red wine and dark chocolate, can improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
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Professor Gunter Kuhnle, an expert in nutrition at the University of Reading, said the data shows flavan-3-ols can boost health.
As it stands, dietary recommendations are focused on preventing deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and sugars.
The only non-essential nutrient people are told to eat based on its health benefits, rather than a risk of deficiency, is fibre.
Fibre is linked with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, leading UK and US health chiefs to advise eating 30g per day.
But dieticians have argued that dietary recommendations should include other compounds that boost health.
Dozens of studies have highlighted the health benefits of flavan-3-ols in maintaining well-being and preventing disease — which the researchers said made it the ‘strongest candidate’ for investigating.
The international experts, funded by the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, examined data from 157 randomised controlled trials and 15 cohort studies.
The results showed the bioactive compound was linked to lower blood pressure, in turn lowering the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
It also improved levels of cholesterol, as well as ‘bad’ HDL cholesterol, which can harm the heart if levels are too high.
Dr Kuhnle said: “To reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, we recommend consuming 400mg-600mg of flavan-3-ols, per day.
“This is equivalent to a couple of cups of tea, some red or purple berries, and an apple.
‘It is far more effective to take in your daily amount as healthy food or beverages than to take a supplement.”
