An apple — or two — a day may in fact keep the doctor away! In a study conducted by researchers at Florida State University, postmenopausal women who ate the dried equivalent of two fresh apples a day for six months slashed their LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels by almost a quarter. And despite the added calories from the apples, the women lost about 3 pounds on average. The study used dried apples for convenience purposes, but the researchers predict that fresh apples (all varieties) may be even more effective. Apples contain a plethora of plant compounds that may confer health benefits, including pectin, a type of fiber that blocks cholesterol absorption, and polyphenols, antioxidants that prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. Here are six delicious, healthy recipes to help you get your fill of this heart-smart super fruit.
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