Many people are aware that fruits and vegetables help promote good nutrition and a balanced diet. Now, the findings of a recent study that was conducted by researchers at Florida State University indicate that consuming one apple daily may help individuals balance their levels of cholesterol and eat less.
The investigators found that aside from the high fiber content of apples, the fruits’ pectin and polyphenols enhance fat metabolism and slow down the production of molecules that may contribute to inflammation in the body.
Over the course of one year, two groups of postmenopausal women ate either one serving of apples or prunes daily.
After six months of this regimen, the study’s findings showed that the participants who consumed apples had 23 percent better balanced levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Women in this group also showed decreased amounts of C-reactive protein, which has been associated with inflammation in the body.
"I never expected apple consumption to [balance] cholesterol to this extent, while [promoting positive effects on] HDL cholesterol, by about 4 percent," said lead researcher Bahram Arjmandi, Ph.D.
The scientists also noted that women who ate the delicious fruits lost an average of more than 3 pounds (lbs).