An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away, Or Does It?

"An apple a day will keep the doctor away." We've all heard this saying since we were young children; but, is there really any truth to it? After all, apples are not a miracle food, are they?

At least one study suggests that apples won't keep the doctor out of your life. FOX News reports that a recent study conducted by The University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor has determined in fact that when apple eaters were compared with non-consumers, there were no measurable differences in the number of trips to the doctor's office.

This might seem surprising to you, especially considering how many times your mom told you to be sure you ate all of your fruits and vegetables. However, there was one definite difference between study participants who ate apples on a regular basis and those who didn't.

The participants who consumed small and medium sized apples on a daily basis tended to report that they made less trips to the pharmacy for prescription drugs than those who didn't eat apples. The study encompassed 8,399 adults, of whom only 753 reported regular consumption of apples. This small minority appeared to exhibit overall better health in terms of not needing medication as often.

While those involved with the study and having it published admit that it is possible that people who eat an apple every day may tend to have healthier habits overall than those who don't, it was painfully obvious that eating an apple definitely didn't hurt their health.

Dr. Michael Roizen said in an email, the best way to get the nutritional benefits of apples is by consuming one medium sized apple a day."

In our recent report regarding Apple Inc.'s push for a healthier world, we noted that the HealthKit and apps related to it could help push users toward a more healthy future. Incorporating HealthKit apps with healthy eating habits, such as having an apple every day, could be the magic key we've all been looking for.

While there's probably not a blanket answer for everyone out there, utilizing tools like the HealthKit and apps that work hand in hand with it, along with initiating a healthy diet plan, could quite possibly lead to a brighter tomorrow for each of us.

What do you think? Do you eat an apple each day? Let us know your opinion in the comments below!