An Apple a Day…
There are many reasons to eat fruits and vegetables. A recent study
from Finland suggests that flavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables,
can reduce risk of chronic disease. Flavonoids often work as
antioxidants and can protect against oxidative damage that may lead to
heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Flavonoid intakes of more than
10,000 people were measured and their rates of various diseases close to
30 years later were assessed. The death rate from heart disease was
lower in those with higher flavonoid intakes. Of all the dietary sources
of flavonoids, apples appeared to be most associated with reduced risk
of death from heart disease. Stroke rates were also lower with higher
intakes of flavonoids. Prostate cancer and breast cancer risk appeared
to be lower with higher intakes of certain flavonoids. Flavonoids, and
their apparent effects on a number of chronic diseases, provide another
reason to eat generous amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Knekt P, Kumpulainen J, Jarvinen R, et al. 2002. Flavonoid intake and risk of chronic diseases.
Amer J of Clin Nutr 76:560-568.
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