An apple a day is as effective at preventing diseases and sickness like strokes and heart attacks, a study suggests.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have concluded that around 8,500 deaths could be prevented every year if people in their 50s who are not already taking statins ate an apple each day.
Apples are high in soluble fibre which slows the buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in the arteries. Last year, researchers found the Pendragon apple contained more beneficial compounds than any other.
"While no one currently prescribed medicine should replace them for apples, we could all benefit from eating more fruit," said Adam Briggs of the Oxford research group.
Previous studies, which showed the benefits of fruit consumption for cardiovascular health and decreased mortality, were compared with similar mortality figures for statins, drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol.
Around 5.2 million people in Britain are eligible for statins. If everyone older than 50 was prescribed statins it would mean an extra 17.6 million would take them - and 9,400 more deaths would be prevented each year.
Researchers assumed there would be a 70 per cent compliance rate if apples were prescribed, which would prevent 8,500 deaths.
The results appear in the British Medical Journal.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have concluded that around 8,500 deaths could be prevented every year if people in their 50s who are not already taking statins ate an apple each day.
Apples are high in soluble fibre which slows the buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in the arteries. Last year, researchers found the Pendragon apple contained more beneficial compounds than any other.
"While no one currently prescribed medicine should replace them for apples, we could all benefit from eating more fruit," said Adam Briggs of the Oxford research group.
Previous studies, which showed the benefits of fruit consumption for cardiovascular health and decreased mortality, were compared with similar mortality figures for statins, drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol.
Around 5.2 million people in Britain are eligible for statins. If everyone older than 50 was prescribed statins it would mean an extra 17.6 million would take them - and 9,400 more deaths would be prevented each year.
Researchers assumed there would be a 70 per cent compliance rate if apples were prescribed, which would prevent 8,500 deaths.
The results appear in the British Medical Journal.
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