Food for your heart

Apples are good for your heart in a variety of ways. Eating an apple or two each day may reduce heart disease risk factors, a study shows.

The intake of apples has been related to a reduced risk of heart disease. One potential reason is that they contain soluble fiber. This type of fiber can aid in the reduction of blood cholesterol levels. Another reason might be because polyphenols are available. Some of them, such as the flavonoid epicatechin, have been shown to reduce blood pressure. Flavonoids have also been associated with a lower risk of stroke in studies. Furthermore, flavonoids can help prevent heart disease by lowering blood pressure, lowering LDL cholesterol oxidation, and lowering atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries. Another study found that eating white-fleshed fruits and vegetables such as apples and pears lowers the risk of stroke. For every 1/5 cup (25 grams) of apple slices consumed per day, the risk of stroke decreased by 9%.