The well-known phrase ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ was originally coined to encourage healthy eating. The quote was actually first published in Notes and Queries magazine as ‘eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread’. The sentiment is still there, and while eating more apples doesn’t necessarily decrease the number of visits to the doctor, the idea generally promotes healthier eating.

Apples themselves are loaded with important nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This high fiber content has been shown to promote fullness, meaning you’re less hungry, and can therefore support weight loss. The naturally occurring sugar that’s present in apples can sometimes be more effective than coffee and can help keep you awake in the morning. Vitamins are also slowly released throughout the body helping you feel more awake.

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There have been many studies suggesting that apples can lower the risk of certain chronic conditions such as heart disease and are good for a cholesterol-lowering diet. Apples also contain many antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which may help prevent cancer. There have also been some animal studies that suggest that consuming more apples can help reduce oxidative stress. This can then slow down signs of aging, prevent mental decline, and promote brain function.

People who usually eat more healthily tend to eat more apples on a daily basis. So it’s not the apple themselves, but rather the healthy lifestyle that goes along with them. When eaten as part of a well-balanced diet, apples have great nutritional value and offer numerous health benefits, and can assist several of our body’s daily functions. So even if an apple a day doesn’t necessarily keep the doctor away, it’s worth adding some to your diet. If not for the health benefits, it causes you to eat healthier in general.