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Heart Studies
There have been numerous studies that have evaluated the effects of apples and in some instances, apple products, on heart health. Additional research is needed to more fully explore the impact, if any, that apple and apple products will have on heart health.
Flavonoids
Past research has suggested that flavonoids — compounds found in fruits, vegetables and various other plant foods — may be associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the relationship between flavonoid intake and both cardiovascular disease and stroke in a study of 34,489 (or over 30,000) postmenopausal women. Investigators found that a high dietary intake of several classes of flavonoids — including anthocyanidins found in blueberries and red wine — was associated with a reduced risk of death due to cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Likewise, consumption of certain flavonoid-containing foods — such as apples, pears and red wine — appeared to be linked with decreased mortality from both cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. No relationship was found between flavonoid intake and stroke-related death. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007.
U.C. Davis
A study conducted at the University of California at Davis in 2000, with funding from the apple industry, indicates that apples and 100 percent apple juice may reduce the damaging effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol. The study found that adults who added two apples or 12 ounces of 100 percent apple juice to their daily diet for a six-week period showed a significant slowing of the cholesterol oxidation process that leads to plaque build up, thereby giving the body more time to rid itself of cholesterol before it can cause harm. Journal of Medicinal Food, 2000.
National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
The Institute conducted a long-term study that found that study participants with the highest intake of apples had the lowest risk of dying from both ischemic heart disease and thrombotic stroke. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2002.
Unite des Maladies Metaboliques et Micronutriements, France
In this study, obese Zucker rats were fed an experimental apple diet and monitored for changes in blood cholesterol levels. The results showed that apples lowered both total and LDL (bad) cholesterol by 22 percent and 70 percent, respectively in these obese animals, suggesting that polyphenols in apples may play a role in improving blood cholesterol status. Journal of Nutrition, 2002.
Cohort Studies
U.S. researchers report that, for every 10 grams of fiber consumed per day, the risk of experiencing a coronary event (i.e., heart attack) may decrease 14 percent, and the risk of dying from coronary heart disease may decrease 27 percent. Fiber from fruits appeared to be slightly more protective than cereal fiber, lowering the risk of coronary disease death by 30 percent. Findings were based on researchers' pooled analysis of data from 10 recent prospective cohort studies in the United States and Europe that measured the amount of fiber in participants' diets over a period of six to ten years. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2004.