Health
Everyone knows the English proverb “Eat an apple a day and the doctor won't have a job” (Apple a day keeps doctor away). Scientists from Wageningen University in the Netherlands have proved the validity of this proverb. The results of a study conducted by Dutch scientists showed that apples significantly reduce the risk of stroke due to the high concentration of a substance called quercetin.
The mechanism of action of quercetin is simple: it relieves inflammation, which leads to hardening of the arteries and subsequent ailments associated with the malfunctioning of the cardiovascular system.
2,000 people took part in the study. It turned out that people who eat more apples, as well as other white-fleshed fruits and vegetables, are much less likely to suffer from strokes.
Experts estimate that eating 25 grams of apple or pear daily reduces the risk of stroke by 9 percent. Considering that an average apple weighs 100-125 grams, eating just one apple a day can reduce the risk of stroke by 36-45 percent!
However, experts remind that vegetables and fruits of other colors are also very useful. For example, one study showed that a diet rich in red, orange, or blue fruits has a positive effect on brain activity.