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Sue Taylor, MS, RD
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Does An Apple A Day Keep the Oncologist Away?

ATLANTA (August 2005) – When European researchers wanted to know more about the impact apple consumption has on various types of cancers, they initiated a research project to do just that. What they found should make apple lovers reach for a few more.

To better understand the role apples might play in risk reduction for cancers of different types, the researchers analyzed data from thousands of individuals who participated in multi-center case controlled studies over 11 years (1991-2002) throughout Italy. In particular, dietary patterns (including consumption of apples) of cancer patients were compared with patients who did not have any type of cancer.

As a result of this analysis, Dr. S. Gallus and colleagues determined that individuals who consumed an apple a day or more had a reduced incidence of different cancers: oral, esophageal, larynx, breast, ovary, prostate and colorectal.

This published research notes that apple consumption may be an indicator of an overall healthy diet. However, after allowing for consumption of other fruits and vegetables, “the association with apples did not change, and became even stronger for some cancer sites.”

The antioxidant activity that comes from fruits and vegetables is due to their phenolic and flavonoid compounds, say the researchers. The paper also states that among fruits, apples have the highest level of free phenolic compounds and the second highest level of antioxidant activity (second only to cranberries).

The researchers conclude, “This investigation found a consistent inverse association between apples and risk of various cancers.” The research results were published online August 2005 and in the November 2005 print issue of Annals of Oncology.