An apple a day keeps the doctor away: A review of scientific literature and novel research

Date

2024-04-11

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women

YU Faculty Profile

Abstract

Apples have been a staple of a healthy diet for centuries. In recent years, there have been major breakthroughs uncovering the far reaching health benefits of apples. Apples have been shown to positively affect many organ systems like the digestive and immune system and combat and decrease risk of many diseases such as diabetes type 1 and type 2, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. These health benefits can be attributed to polyphenols found in apples. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds with many hydroxyl groups mainly found in plants. Although the precise mechanism of action remains unclear, possible explanations mainly center around polyphenols’ antioxidant properties. This paper focuses on apples' effects on diabetes type 1 and type 2, obesity, and cancer and explores the mechanisms in which apple polyphenols effectively positively influence and treat these diseases to raise awareness of this superfood. Included in the paper is a synopsis of a novel research project conducted at SCW on the nutraceutical properties of apple extract to inhibit metastasis of oral tumor cells, specifically from the HSC-2 line.

Description

Undergraduate honors thesis / YU only

Keywords

Apples, Polyphenols, Superfood, Antioxidants

Citation

Grossman, L. (2024, April 11). An apple a day keeps the doctor away: A review of scientific literature and novel research [Unpublished undergraduate honors thesis, Yeshiva University].