Apples are good for a lot of reasons. The fact that, at least for post menopausal women, they can keep the cardiologist at bay is just icing on the apple spice cake, as it were. A study that was recently presented at presented at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting in Washington, D.C that provided just such evidence. The study looked at post menopausal women who were asked to consume a daily serving of apples (dried) each day. After a year, the women saw their total cholesterol drop by an average of 14%. Their LDL or “bad” cholesterol was reduced by an average of 23%. Levels of lipid hydroperoxide, a biochemical involved in the formation of heart-clogging plaques, and C-reactive protein, which is a marker of inflammation, were both down by about one-third. Both of these compounds are associated with a higher inflammatory state. In the study, the apple group achieved superior results to a similar group that ate prunes.

Dr. Hyson, from UC Davis completed a review of 80 studies, published since 2005, on the health benefits of apples. She notes that in addition to their aforementioned cardiovascular benefits, apples seem to help regulate blood sugar and control appetite and may protect against cancer. As for how they do it, apples are rich in pectin, which acts blocks cholesterol absorption. Apple peels are also a rich source of antioxidants. Experts agree fresh apples are likely even better than dried; so they fresher you get, the better!