VIENNA, Va. – The disease-fighting profile of apples got a boost last week as industry experts and scientists converged for the Fourth Annual Interpoma Conference, the International tradeshow for apple growing, storage, marketing and processing, that was held in Bolzano, Italy.

The health benefits of apples have been on record since ancient times. The medieval physician's "bible," the Salerno Medical School's Prescription for Health, documented in 1100 A.D. the therapeutic properties of apples for ailments associated with the bowels, lungs and nervous system. More than 700 years later, in 1904, American fruit specialist J.T. Stinson coined the phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", a modern variation on an Old English phrase.

The international group of scientists and experts that gathered at Interpoma shared some of the most compelling research findings about apples' health benefits to date, providing modern proof to that old adage.

Among them was Dianne Hyson, Ph.D., M.S., R.D., from the University of California-Davis, who presented convincing research that apples may provide a multitude of health benefits, including a potential decreased risk of cancer and heart disease. She highlighted several recent studies that suggest apples may provide a "whole-body" health benefit.

"There is growing scientific evidence that apples may indeed have a positive effect on health, and in a range of ways," said Dr. Hyson. "While more clinical studies of apples and apple juice are in order, the research we have to date suggests there are many components in apples that may be of great benefit to the body."

Conference speakers reported that a number of components in apples, most notably fiber and phytonutrients such as flavonoids, have been found in studies to lower blood cholesterol and improve bowel function, and may be associated with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, prostate cancer, type II diabetes and asthma. Most striking is preliminary research from Finland indicating diets with the highest intake of apple phytochemicals were associated with a 46 percent reduction in the incidence of lung cancer. Also of note, Dr. Hyson reported on recent UC-Davis research finding that two apples a day or 12 ounces of 100-percent apple juice reduced the damaging effects of the LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol"), thus promoting cardiovascular health.

Presenters also reported that the health benefits from eating apples may assist weight management efforts, important news given the alarming rate of overweight and obesity in the United States. Last month, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 65 percent - nearly two out of three Americans - are now overweight or obese, based on 2000 data.

High fiber intake can be a key component of weight management, and apples are one of best dietary sources of fiber available. One tennis ball-sized apple provides 20 percent of the recommended daily fiber for adults.

"The speakers agreed that as consumers increasingly look to their diet for better health and appearance, apples fit clearly into the picture," said U.S. Apple Association nutrition communications specialist Julia Stewart Daly. "While researchers continue to uncover apples' health secrets, it appears that what is past may in fact be prologue: Eating an apple a day may in fact keep the doctor away, by providing a host of other long-term health benefits."

Editor's notes:

For more information on Interpoma, contact conference planners Geraldine Coccagna at coccagna@fierabolzano.it, or Kurt Werth at werthk@dnet.it.

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The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the nation's 9,000 apple growers, as well as 450 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.