We have all heard the saying "an apple a day will keep the doctor away".  And it turns out that there really is truth to that saying.

Below is a list of the top five benefits of making apples a standard part of your daily diet.

1.   Apples improve the bowels.  Pectin is a source of dietary fiber and a very handy nutrient to have in one's diet.  Pectin works to increase the stool's volume and resistance of fluids and is therefore helpful in treating constipation,diarrhea, and generally improving the health of the bowels. Studies have also found that apple pectin reduces the incidence of colon tumors, and that has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

2. Apples lower cholesterol. A study on nutrition and heart disease found that eating three apples a day for three months can help you to drop your cholesterol by at least 20 points.  Again its the Apple pectin, that miraculous source of dietary fiber, helps to draw bad LDL cholesterol out of the system.

 3. Apples reduce the risk of cancer Apples do not stop at merely preventing colon cancer. The high amounts of quercetin, other flavonoids, and phytochemicals found in this fruit deliver potent antioxidant activity to all who eat an apple, and with that inhibit the actions of free radicals.  This means that apple eating prevents cancer of the prostate and lung, as well as other parts of the body.

4. Apples slow the aging process. The phytochemicals that come from the bright colors you find in the skins of your favorite apple variety, along with aiding the apple's ability to lower cholesterol and fight cancer, also inhibits the onset of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and other conditions that lead to potentially debilitating situations in old age.

5. Apples help to prevent hair loss. Chinese medicine considers hair loss to be a sign of a depleted kidney essence, and apples are on the list of fruits and vegetables that will help you to restore this essence and nourish the blood that flows to your hair follicles.