Apple a day cuts chance of five types of cancer

EATING an apple a day slashes the risk of developing up to five types of cancer, say scientists.

They found that people who ate at least one a day were much less likely to get lung, bowel, mouth, digestive tract or breast tumours than those who rarely or never ate the fruit.

A review of more than 40 previous studies investigating diet and cancer found that the biggest benefits were seen in cancers of the stomach and oesophagus, with some data suggesting apples nearly halved tumour risk.

The scientists, from the University of Perugia in Italy, found that lung tumour rates among apple lovers were about 25 per cent lower while breast cancer cases were cut by a fifth. In a report on their

‘Convincing evidence’

results, they said: ‘This provides convincing evidence of the protective ability of apples against lung, bowel, mouth, digestive tract and breast cancers. But more studies will be needed to clarify the effects in other anatomical sites.’

A healthy diet including fruit and vegetables has long been thought to have a protective effect against many types of cancer. But there has been little evidence on which confer the most benefit.

The researchers, whose results are published in the journal Public Health Nutrition, said: ‘Our interest was attracted by apples as they are the most consumed fruit in European countries and a rich source of phytochemicals.’

These are naturally occurring plant substances thought to have potent anti-cancer properties.

Apples are also high in flavonoids, compounds that are thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.