An Apple a Day May Keep Knee Arthritis Away

We have all heard the old saying, "An apple a day will keep the doctor away". Australian researches have found that an apple a day may just keep the arthritis doctor away. This is another example that our mothers were right when they told us to eat our fruits and vegetables and we will grow up healthy. The research showed that people with levels of vitamin C were less likely to have bone changes associated with knee arthritis. The study also showed that certain carotenoids found in green vegetables, such as the lutein and zeaxanthin also helped prevent cartilage abnormalities in the knee. Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments found in certain plants.

So before we get to the details of the study go grab and apple, orange or some broccoli and start munching your way through the details of the study.

This was a ten year study that included 193 middle aged men and women. All of the participants were free of knee pain when they started the study. They were all given detailed questionnaires about their diets. At the end of ten years they had their knees examined with MRI scans. The results show that on average those who consumed more vitamin C at the beginning of the study had the least amount of bone changes in their knees. The researchers also looked at the overall fruit consumption, which showed the same results. They also found that those who consumed more green vegetables especially those high in carotenoids had less overall cartilage defects in their knees.

The reason for this is probably simple. Vitamin C and other nutrients aid in our bodies ability to process calcium. The better our bodies process calcium the stronger and healthier our bones and cartilage will be. The study looked specifically at the bones in the knee. It is to be expected that people with diets high in vitamin C, carotenoids and other healthy nutrients will not only have less bone changes in their knees but healthier bones through out their bodies.

So next time you hear that guy on TV tell you to get your five servings of fruits and vegetables listen to your knees and grab some fruit. And if you can not listen to him, listen to the words that are permanently branded in your brain from you mother, "don't forget to eat your vegetables."