Apple a Day Lowers Cholesterol

Apples are rich in polyphenols, a potent type of antioxidant for which a number of published studies suggest confer cardiovascular benefits. Richard DiSilvestro, from Ohio State University (Ohiom, USA), and colleagues enrolled nonsmoking healthy adults, ages 40 to 60 years, who had a history of eating apples less than twice a month and who didn’t take supplements containing polyphenols or other plant-based concentrates, in a month-long study,  Sixteen participants ate a grocery-store large Red or Golden Delicious apple daily for four weeks; 17 took capsules containing 194 milligrams of polyphenols a day for four weeks; and 18 took a placebo (containing no polyphenols).  The investigators found that apple consumption blood levels of oxidized LDL – low-density lipoprotein, the “bad” cholesterol.  Those subjects taking the polyphenol supplement also had lower LDL, but not as significant a difference.  The team found no effect on oxidized LDLs in those taking the placebo.  The study authors describe applies as: “an easily accomplished dietary intervention [that has] a major effect on an atherosclerosis risk factor.”