Eat Your Catechins
Not only do they taste fantastic… but B.C. Brand apples contain many plus factors. Things like fibre, vitamin C, trace minerals, and phytonutrients and antioxidants
Among those phytochemicals are some new kids on the block—at least as far as researchers are concerned—catechins. Catechins occur naturally in green tea, grapes, apples, pears, and some other foods. Their antioxidant effect is believed to help reduce formation of plaque in the arteries. Researchers surmise they help combat and suppress cancerous tumours and cell proliferation.
- Finnish scientists evaluated the diets and health of more than 9,000 men for 28 years. They found that those with the lowest risk of thrombotic stroke and a lower incidence of lung cancer had eaten antioxidant-rich foods. The researchers concluded this was due to phytochemicals, such as quercetin and catechins, particularly those in apples.
- A Dutch study on the effects of catechins, presented in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care (July 2001) followed 13,651 people for 3 years. As a result of their testing, the researchers suggest eating solid fruit such as apples and pears to gain the benefits of catechins against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Other test results described in an article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (August 2001) concurred with the Dutch findings. They acknowledged a possible decrease in ischemic heart disease was directly related to an increased intake of catechins.
- Scientists who investigated nearly 35,000 postmenopausal women for 12 years in Iowa agreed. Their results in Epidemiology (November 2001) pointed out that “catechins…in apples…were inversely associated with coronary heart disease [CHD] death.” The more catechins, the fewer deaths from CHD.
All of this good news doesn't mean we should rush right out and eat a bushel of apples to keep from getting sick. It does point out that 5 to 10 servings per day of apples, and other fruit and vegetables, combined with an active lifestyle can go a long way toward helping to prevent certain health problems.
