Washington Apples - 5 to 10 a Day

There is no arguing the fact that diet and exercise are our two best tools to promote good health. The link between a good diet, moderate exercise and good health is well-documented. Eating 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit per day as part of a healthy diet can help reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. The goal of the 5 to 10 a day initiative is to reduce the risk of cancer and cardio-vascular disease, by encouraging Canadians to consume at least five servings of vegetables and fruit a day as part of a healthy diet (as described in Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating), and as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Here is what current Canadian research is indicating about our population:

Four out of five Canadian households (81%) said that they would increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables at least somewhat if they could be convinced of the connection to the reduction in cancer, stroke and heart-related diseases.
Based on focus groups held in six regions across Canada, most people are looking for convenient, tasty and inexpensive ways to add more produce to their diets.

So what’s so special about an apple? Apples, like many fruits and vegetables, contain low amounts of fat and cholesterol and naturally contain lots of nutrients like fibre and vitamins A and C. Since diets low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fibre-containing fruits, vegetables and grain products may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer, apples are the perfect, convenient way to get one of those essential fruit-and-veggie servings.

Grab a crisp, crunchy apple today!

Study finds apples may protect against heart disease and cancer.

Researchers from the University of California-Davis found that apples and apple products have protective properties that could prevent damage to human cells.

Distinctive nutrients found in apples and apple products protected cells from destruction by fighting off unwelcome intruders in the body.

This protection from apples and apple products could lead to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Click here for more Apple Health Research.