Eating an apple a day might in fact help keep the cardiologist away, new research suggests.

A study in Ohio funded by the apple industry has been said to show remarkable results which seem to indicate that eating an apple each day for just one month lowered the levels of a substance linked to hardening of the arteries by 40%.  the study subjects were healthy middle aged adults. 

As this research is not totally independant, being funded by the apple industry, it is worth keeping an eye on any further findings.  However, there can only be positive results from eating an apple each day so it is worth giving it a go - one of your five a day - but make sure you do rest on your laurels and take3 other preventative measures too.

Apples currently are quite expensive and the supermarkets are now offeering inferior brands that are not quite so tasty and a few years ago would have been rejected - so they can offer a cheaper option.

Before erating apples that are not organic it is worth soaking them in a bowl of water with a tablespoon of cidar vinegar.  Let them soak for a while and then wipe them dry carefully with a tea towel.  This will help to remove some of the chemicals on the apple skins.

Read more about this research here