15. Apples
Like beans, peas and lentils, apples are a good source of soluble fibre, which is great for healthy bowels. An added benefit of eating fibre-rich foods is they help keep us fuller for longer, meaning that we’ll snack less often between meals. This is beneficial if we’re looking to lose weight and means we’ll eat fewer snacky foods that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat, which are linked to an increased risk of developing cancer.
There is also evidence that apples contain fibre that the gut bacteria convert into short chain fatty acids like a compound called butyrate. Studies show that these compounds can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which, if allowed to build up, can lead to chronic disease, including certain cancers.
Apples also contain polyphenols that have antioxidant properties, helping protect the cells from the uncontrollable division that causes cancer. And you know what they say; “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
