An Apple a Day?

Ever wonder where the expression “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” comes from? Well, there may be some good scientific evidence that this is valid. The results of an animal study published by The American Physiological Society found that Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant present in apples and other fruits and vegetables, may have protective effects against the influenza virus and that eating an apple a day could help reduce our risk of getting the flu this year, especially during times of stress.
The study was done in mice, but it appears the protective health benefits of Quercetin appear to apply to people too. A recent human study showed that individuals taking daily doses of the flu-fighting antioxidant suffered
fewer respiratory illnesses following three days of exhaustive exercise
compared to those who did not take the plant compound.
There are additional benefits of this powerful antioxidant too. These include:

• Researchers at Cornell University in New York found that the
  naturally occurring antioxidant may protect brain cells from oxidative stress, a tissue-damaging process associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative disorders of the brain
• Scientists have found that regular Quercetin intake can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Quercetin is well known for its powerful anti-inflammatory
  effects, making it useful in the prevention and treatment of arthritis
  and other chronic inflammatory diseases
• Quercetin may be a viable alternative to some
  over-the-counter and prescription medications in people with allergies. The antioxidant compound has impressive antihistamine actions, making it useful in the treatment of hay fever, eczema and hives.

In addition to apples, Quercetin may be found in other fruits and vegetables like onions, grapes, blueberries, broccoli, tea and red wine. Red apples have more of it than green or yellow ones. And most importantly, it is predominant in the skins, so peeled fruit has less Quercetin and unpeeled.