4. An apple a day helps fight against Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of up to 80% of dementia cases, and, unfortunately, there’s no effective treatment. About one in nine Americans over the age of 65 is dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies show that the brain cells of those with this type of dementia die because of oxidative stress. But one interesting thing researchers have found is that fruits like apples, oranges, and bananas contain phenolic phytochemical antioxidants that can slow down neuronal cell damage caused by oxidative stress.

Moreover, a study published in the Journal of Food Science discovered that phenolic extracts from apples were even more beneficial in reducing neurotoxicity than the antioxidants in oranges and bananas. However, experts point out that you need to consume your apples with the peel on to get the most out of their anti-oxidative benefits.