An apple a day keeps the doctor away? - a review of health benefits of apples

BATOR, Piotr, RAZIK, Michał, ROZWADOWSKA, Patrycja, RAMIAN, Jan, RYBAK, Jakub, MAGIERA, Barbara, MAGIERA, Karol, GRABOWSKA-SZCZUREK, Martyna, GRABARCZYK, Alicja and RAZIK, Wiktor. An apple a day keeps the doctor away? - a review of health benefits of apples. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2024;55:73-86. eISSN 2391-8306. https://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.55.005

https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/47897

https://zenodo.org/records/10561077

The journal has had 40 points in Minister of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of 05.01.2024 No. 32318. Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical culture sciences (Field of medical and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of medical and health sciences).

Punkty Ministerialne 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego z dnia 05.01.2024 Lp. 32318. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159. Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe:  Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu).© The Authors 2024;

This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Received: 08.01.2024. Revised: 17.01.2024. Accepted: 23.01.2024. Published: 24.01.2024.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? - a review of health benefits of apples

Piotr Bator, Michał Razik, Patrycja Rozwadowska, Jan Ramian, Jakub Rybak, Barbara Magiera, Karol Magiera, Martyna Grabowska-Szczurek, Alicja Grabarczyk, Wiktor Razik

Piotr Bator

piotrbator9@icloud.com

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

ORCID: 0009-0009-3300-0078

Michał Razik

michrazik@gmail.com

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

ORCID: 0009-0005-8930-8961

Patrycja Rozwadowska

patrycja.roz98@gmail.com

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

ORCID: 0000-0001-8541-2108

Jan Ramian

ramianjann@gmail.com

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

ORCID: 0009-0002-1956-241X

Jakub Rybak

rybakjak@gmail.com

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

ORCiD 0009-0005-0481-1569

Barbara Magiera

barbaramgra@gmail.com

Prof. K. Gibiński University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 14, 40-752 Katowice

ORCiD 0009-0001-9180-9942

Karol Magiera

magierakarol0@gmail.com

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland,

ORCiD: 0009-0004-8621-9755

Martyna Grabowska-Szczurek

martynagrabowska147@gmail.com

The Hospital of the Bonifratres of St. John Grand in Cracow, Trynitarska 11, 31-061 Cracow  

ORCiD 0000-0001-8850-8455

Alicja Grabarczyk

alicjagrabarczyk515@gmail.com

Students' Scientific Society, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland.

ORCiD: 0009-0008-8651-3283

Wiktor Razik

wiktor.razik@onet.pl

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

ORCID: 0009-0005-7370-7933

Abstract:

Introduction and purpose:

Apples are a widely consumed fruit globally and are known to be a great source of nutrition. Studies have shown that apples contain high levels of antioxidants, dietary fiber, and vitamins that contribute to numerous health benefits. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the impact of apples on human health.

State of knowledge:

The paper reviews the current literature on the health benefits of apples, focusing on their impact on various health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, it examines the role of apples in improving intestinal, immune, and cognitive function. The paper also discusses the potential mechanisms by which apples exert their health benefits, such as high levels of flavonoids, polyphenols, and dietary fiber.

Summary:

In conclusion, the vast body of evidence reviewed in this paper supports the notion that consuming apples regularly can contribute to better health outcomes. They may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, as well as promote healthy gut microbiota and immune function. Despite the controversy surrounding the use of pesticides in apple cultivation, the benefits of consuming apples outweigh the risks. Therefore, it is highly recommended to include apples as part of a balanced and nutritious diet to promote optimal health and wellbeing. As the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".

KEYWORDS: apple, health, diet, chronic disease