<p><strong>Vienna, VA</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Apples are being linked to lower risk in developing type 2 diabetes. According to a long-term research study, recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants who consumed at least five apples per week had a 23% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and monitored the eating habits of approximately 200,000 adults for periods as long as twenty-four years.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The inspiration behind the study was to determine whether the antioxidant flavonoid, affects the incidences of diabetes. No significant links were found for total flavonoid intake, but the study did find that higher consumption of anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoid found in apples and other fruits, was linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Nancy Foster, President and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association, states, “This research further advances our belief in apples as a nutritious, healthy and everyday food.” Ms. Foster, states, “Apples and apple products have been associated with helping to improve outcomes related to everything from weight loss to different types of cancer, heart disease and even asthma. Adding type 2 diabetes to this list is something America’s apple growers take great pride in.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
