Antioxidants of Apples

11 I n the United States and most industrialized countries, cardiovascular disease and cancer are ranked as the leading causes of death. These diseases have been linked to lifestyle choices, one of the most important of which is diet. It has been estimated that eating a healthy diet could prevent 30 percent of all cancers. Many of us as children were told to “eat your vegetables because they are good for you,” and the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is still quite popular. Recently, many studies have been providing scientific backing for both of these common phrases. Hundreds of epidemiological studies have been performed examining the effects of diet on health. Although not all studies show a link between fruits and vegetables and health, a majority of studies show a positive correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.