While everyone knows the age-old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," modern nutritional analysis has shown that apples offer even more health benefits than previously thought. The soluble fibre pectin, found in every variety of apple, is a perfect example. Pectin helps lower blood cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.

Apples are also a top-notch source of flavonoids, which are good for our heart health and have anticancer effects. There is a link between consuming apples and decreased risk of colon cancer; Polish researchers speculate that that may be due to apples’ high flavonoid content. The highest concentration of flavonoids is in the peel.

Research shows that different varieties vary in their antioxidant content, so play the field. Trimming your waistline? Scientists found that subjects who ate a whole apple consumed fewer calories later on than those who ate applesauce or apple juice.