42 BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION
FRUIT
An apple a day keeps the
doctor away. Along with the
rest of the inhabitants of the
fruit bowl, apples have a
reputation for being able to
lower the risk of mortality.
But how true is this? Plenty of
studies out there show that people
who eat fruit tend to be healthier than
fruit-shunners, and have reduced risks
of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
This could be because fruit contains
vitamins and fibre, which are good for
health, as well as antioxidants that
help to repair cells.
Yet the debate around the
recommended amount of fruit to
consume daily continues. A BMJ study
suggests if you can stretch to seven
por tions of fruit and veget ables you’re
doing your self some real f avour s. Risk
of disease development over the
cour se of the study reduced by 42 per
cent for seven or more por tions of fruit
and veg. The government’s current
advice stick s at f ive daily por tions.
We still have problems reaching that
target, let alone increasing it.
But don’t get your fruit fix by
swig ging back juices or smoothies.
Many fruit juices contain large
amounts of sugar. And juices that are
100 per cent fruit still contain almost as
much sugar as a sweetened drink.
You’re better off eating the actual
orange than drinking it.
And here’s another excuse to slip
that apple into your teenager’s school
bag. Recent studies reveal that a high
int ake of carotene-rich fruit – such a s
apples, oranges, bananas and grapes –
during adolescence is a ssociated with a
lower risk of brea st cancer. Just three
portions of fruit a day could reduce the
risk of brea st cancer by an impressive
25 per cent.VERDICT: Start the fruit habit
early, but eat it in its natural form
rather than squished into juices
and smoothies.