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    Wellbeing
    1234 · 20 min read

    Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?

    It’s a well-known saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But is it simply an old wives tale or is it actually true?

    Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?

    There’s no denying that apples are a great addition to your diet. They’re nutritious, low calorie, great for weight loss and high in fibre. They’re also rich in vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K, and have even been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.

    Sadly though, they’ve not been proven to actually keep the doctor away. In a study that looked into the association of apple consumption and doctor visits, it concluded that “evidence does not support that an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. However, the small fraction of adults who eat an apple a day do appear to use fewer prescription medications.

    What can keep the doctor away?

    There are plenty of doctors visits that are simply unavoidable, whether that’s for your routine smear test or to explore a hereditary health problem. But there are a lot of health problems that are linked with lifestyle, and there’s plenty you can do to lower your risk of developing them.

    Stop smoking

    Smoking is linked to a whole host of health problems, from gum disease to lung cancer and plenty more. Quitting smoking is a great step to avoiding future health problems and you’ll notice the benefits straight away, with your sense of taste and lung capacity improving almost straight away after stopping.

    There’s no doubt that giving up smoking is a difficult task though and nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications are extremely effective at assisting you.

    Ensure you’re getting the recommended amount of vitamins

    A healthy balanced diet can ward off plenty of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Vitamins are also important for strengthening bones, muscles and your immune system, which is your body’s natural defence against infection and illness.

    If you’re struggling to get the recommended level of vitamins then you may wish to take a daily vitamin supplement. You could either take an all-rounder (which contain a bit of everything that you need), or a specific vitamin that you feel you need more of (like vitamin C for your immune system or vitamin D in the less sunny months).

    Exercise daily

    This doesn’t mean that you need to do an intense gym workout every day but you should try and get your body moving as it’s good for your heart. Just a simple walk, jog or fun activity that you enjoy is enough to be beneficial.

    Get enough sleep

    Poor sleep is not only a reason for a doctors trip on its own, but it can also lead to a whole host of other problems such as obesity and heart disease, and it can really impact your overall wellbeing.

    Try to get 7-8 hours sleep per night and if you find it difficult to drift off then you may benefit from Nytol or Nytol Herbal. These tablets can induce drowsiness and help you to get a better night’s sleep.

    Look after your mental health

    Your mental health can just as easily see you heading to the doctor’s as your physical health so it’s important to look after both of them! Try to speak openly with people around you about anything you might be struggling with and attempt to minimise stress factors.

    If you are experiencing stress or anxiety then you may benefit from Passion flower, which has been traditionally used to treat symptoms.

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    Related Products

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    From £19.99
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    • Use for 2-4 weeks
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    • Relieves temporary sleeping difficulties
    • Causes sleepiness
    • Single tablet before bedtime

    Blog author

    Scott Weaver

    Scott is an experienced and professional content writer who works exclusively for UK Meds.

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