Does an Apple a Day Really Keep the Doctor Away?
February 25, 2021 by Kristy
We have all heard the good ol’ phrase, “An Apple a Day will keep the doctor away”. My question is, Is that true?
Does eating an apple a day really help you not have to go see a doctor?
According to Wikipedia, the phrase was first recorded in the 1860s, the proverb originated in Wales, and was a common phrase in Pembrokeshire. The original wording was “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” The current phrasing, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, began being said at the end of the 19th century, early print examples were found as early as 1899.
According to health.howtuffworks.com apples are full of pectin, boron, quercetin, vitamin c and phytonutrients, which are all great things your body needs. It also states that apples act as a toothbrush by cleaning teeth and killing bacteria in the mouth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay.
SO is there any scientific proof that an apple a day keeps the doctor away? On pubmed.com I found a few studies but none of the studies really seemed conclusive. One study found that apples and pears might prevent strokes. Another study concluded that people who ate an apple a day used fewer prescription medications. While it is interesting to try to read the studies on pubmed it is also quite confusing.
What I did find particularly fascinating is that in one of the studies the researchers had 8399 participants that qualified. Of that number only 753 ate an apple usually every day and 7646 people did not eat apples every day. So why do only 9% of the people only eat apples daily? I would say that out of all fruit, apples are one of the, if not the most convenient fruits. Wouldn’t you agree? You can easily bring apples anywhere with you and they stay good with or without refrigeration. Everyone knows you are supposed to eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day. In my personal opinion, I think it should be double that but here in the US the campaign is 5 a day.
If we are not eating THE easiest fruit to eat are we really even eating our 5 a day?
That thought right there, leads into the real question, Are we eating enough fruits and vegetables each day to keep the doctor away? While that topic is for another days article, I dare say, No.
Cited Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_apple_a_day_keeps_the_doctor_away
https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/health-myths/an-apple-a-day.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25822137
