Apple Consumption Reduces Biomarkers For Cardiovascular Disease

A U.S. study has found that eating 75 grams of dried apples a day for a year led to a reduction in so-called bad (LDL)  cholesterol, an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol and an average weight loss of 3.3 pounds among 160 postmenopausal women. Earlier animal studies had shown that apple pectin and polyphenols improved lipid metabolism and lowered production of pro-inflammatory molecules. The study randomly assigned the women to two groups: one that ate dried apples daily and one that ate dried prunes every day. Analysis of blood samples found that the apple-eating women experienced a 23 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol and a lowering of other biomarkers for cardiovascular disease. The weight loss benefit may be a result of eating apple pectin, which contributes to satiety, researchers guessed.