An apple a day might actually keep the doctor away.
According to a new study in the British Medical Journal, researchers from Oxford University found the fruit can prevent 8,500 heart attack and strokes in British adults over 50 years old.
Apples are reportedly doing a similar or even better job than prescribed statin medications, according to the findings. Statins are a treatment that "lower cholesterol by blocking an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver." Currently 5.2 million people in the U.K., take statins.
"This study shows that small dietary changes as well as increased use of statins at a population level may significantly reduce vascular mortality in the U.K.," the authors wrote.
Researchers analyzed how the national health of people over 50-years-old would change if each person either take a statin or ate an apple every day. Using data modeling tools, study author Dr. Adam Briggs looked at the highest causes of heart attacks and strokes, in the U.K. population, for people over 50.
The study also took into account that only 70 percent of individuals would obey their doctor's wishes and would not change anything other than their calorie intake. The study estimated that if 17.6 million people over 50 in the U.K., would have taken a statin, which would result in 9,400 fewer deaths from stroke and heart attack.
"In the U.K., at the moment (statins) are advised if you are at high risk of cardiovascular disease," Briggs told FoxNews.com. "So we said, let's see what happens if we give them to everyone else as well, and that came out to 9,500 fewer deaths per year, in people over 50 years old."
If 70 percent of individuals began eating an apple a day, based on doctor's wishes, it would result in 8,500 fewer deaths from stroke and heart attack.
"Fruit and (vegetables) broadly speaking contain fiber, which is one thing known to have beneficial effects on health," Briggs said. "More so, with apples, they're a natural source of antioxidants and flavonoids which are all related to better cardiovascular health."
Research noted that statins carry the risk of muscular disease or myopathy and more than 12,000 cases of diabetes If individuals over 30, did the same, vascular 3 percent, but side effects would double.
"The Victorians had it about right when they came up with their brilliantly clear and simple public health advice: 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away,'" Brigs said in a press release. "It just shows how effective small changes in diet can be, and that both drugs and healthier living can make a real difference in preventing heart disease and stroke."
Briggs warns that those who are already on statins should not replace their medication with apples.
"Those currently taking (statins) should continue to do so, but they might also benefit from adding an apple to their diet," Briggs said.
Dr. Peter Coleman, deputy director of research at The Stroke Association, stated that the current study shows the benefits of a healthy diet, with fresh fruits and vegetables
"Apples have long been known as a natural source of antioxidants and chemical compounds called flavonoids, all of which are good for our health and well-being," Coleman, who was not part of the study.
