An apple a day keeps the doctor away (and makes you svelte, smart and strong too)

We have all heard the old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," but new research has shown that apples have many more benefits than previously thought. Want to improve memory, endurance or weight loss? Eat an apple. How about boosting physical health? Apples can help. Threatening diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, asthma and cancer are also diminished by this seemingly ordinary fruit.

A tasty daily habit for preventing major disease

Researchers have discovered that consistent consumption of apples fosters greater health. Asthmatic children who drink apple juice on a daily basis have less wheezing than those who only have apple juice once a month. Likewise, maternal consumption of apples has a positive effect on the well being of their children. Mothers who ate apples throughout pregnancy gave birth to children who had lower rates of asthma compared to those who consumed small amounts of the fruit. Apples also help to control diabetes. As a good source of galacturonic acid, apples curb the body's requirement for insulin. Even better, women who eat at least one apple a day lower their chances of developing Type II diabetes by 28 percent.