Apples contain high levels of phenolic compounds that have various biological activities and so may contribute to beneficial effects against some chronic diseases. Now research with laboratory rats would suggest that an apple (drink) a day really could keep the doctor away.

The research showed that microsomal lipid peroxidation in the liver is decreased in rats pre-treated with juice by 52 – 87 %. The researchers report that the effect of juice is on protecting antioxidant enzymes: catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, although the effect is not seen with superoxide dismutase.

• Cloudy apple juice protects against chemical-induced oxidative stress in rat
  M. Kujawska, E. Ignatowicz, M. Ewertowska, J. Markowski, J. Jodynis-Liebert, Eur. J. Nutr. 2010, online
  DOI: 10.1007/s00394-010-0114-y