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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Apples may contribute to lung health.


“An Apple a day keeps the doctor away”, may be an adage truer than we thought.  Apples have medicinal and nutritive properties that offer benefit in protecting and optimizing your lung function.  This is especially dear to me, as our family has an apple orchard.
Apples contain the antioxidants quercetin and vitamin C, along with other flavonoids and vitamins, pectins, tannins and fruit acids like malic acid.
Researchers are not sure why apples offer a scientifically documented benefit in protecting lung health and improving lung function, particularly in those individuals suffering from lung cancer and asthma. Most think that antioxidant protection may be a key.  The antioxidant flavonoid, quercetin, may play a major role.  Pectins found in apples have anti-mutagenic effects, slowing tumor growth in lab rats.
Of course, a balanced diet is important. Chose fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants. The fresher and more deeply colored, generally the better.

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