According to the study the old proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" was busted as the researchers have found that the daily apple eaters had just as many doctor visits as those who did not regularly eat the fruit. But the study revealed that apple eaters are less likely to use prescription medications strengthening the statement “An apple a day may also keep pharmacist away”.

Matthew Davis of the University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor along with his collegues satreted research to give simple answer to the old question. They compared daily apple eaters (those who consumed at least 1 small apple per day or 149 grams of raw apple) with non-apple eaters. Among 8000 participants only 753 (9 percent) were apple eaters and rest of 7,646 (91 percent) were non-apple eaters.

The study has some limitations, the information in the investigation was self-reported and the number of doctor visits couldn’t be explicitly linked to munching on apples are two of the more serious ones, noted Dr. Sharonne N. Hayes, cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “The apple eaters were highly educated and less likely to smoke,” he added. “It could be that their visits to the doctor were for preventive reasons rather than illness”.

“Apples probably won’t cure the woes of our health care system, but they certainly won’t hurt,” Hayes said. As they reduce risk from several forms of cancer, asthma and cardiovascular disease. Also, the fruit may have beneficial effects for diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, weight management and bone health. It is good to have an Apple a day for its therapeutic benefits at least strengthening the statement “An apple a day keeps pharmacist away”.

AW: Lizitha