Third of Brits believe fruit and veg can fend off illness – but does an apple a day really work?

Apple

by Emma Dodds |
Published on

Research has found that many Brits are now turning to fruit and vegetables to fend off illnesses instead of traditional medicine

Of course, everyone knows the old saying that an "apple a day keeps the doctor away" - but is there actually any truth in that?

Well, a LOT of Brits seem to think so, as a study commissioned on behalf of The School of Health found that 48% of people prefer to find their own treatment than go to the doctor.

Another 21% admitted to taking up natural alternatives such as homeopathy, nutritional therapy, therapeutic massages and herbal tonics.

GALLERY: Top skin expert reveals 7 tips for healthy skin in cold weather

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Abigail James' top 7 tips for healthy skin in winter (slider)

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skin

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1. Say goodbye to unnecessary chemicals

"Some fragrances and colours are skin irritants and have no actual benefits for the skin - they simply look and smell nice. "According to the research almost two thirds of British women are concerned about the chemicals in their personal care products so my advice would be to avoid unnecessary chemical ingredients and look for shower gels and deodorants that are kinder to skin - such as the Sanex Zero% range which is formulated with 0% colourants, 0% soap and 0% parabens."

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2. Avoid low fat diets

"When it comes to holistic health, achieving a healthy balance is really important. Choose healthy fats for healthy cell function – this can be added into your diet through foods such as avocadoes, fish, nuts and seeds and plant oils such as flax and hemp. "Another tip is to ditch the processed margarines. If you're going to have butter then make it organic natural butter which has less synthetic ingredients."

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3. Try light exercise

"Getting up and moving daily will boost circulation, and getting your muscles moving will increase your levels of 'happy' hormones or endorphins and blood flow. This in turn will give your skin a lovely healthy glow. "It doesn't matter whether it's a light stroll or training at the gym, as long as you're moving your skin will feel the benefits."

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4. Get an early night

"Lack of sleep increases the visible appearance of ageing, such as dark circles caused by sluggish circulation."With that in mind say goodbye to your phone or tablet at least an hour before going to bed and try to get a good night's sleep – your skin will thank you for it."

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5. Reduce sugar intake

"A high intake of sugar can cause an inflammatory reaction within the skin resulting in a whole host of skin conditions, from acne and rosacea to premature ageing and dry skin. "A little treat every now and then won't hurt, but try to keep an eye on your sugar levels if you're looking to keep skin healthy."

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6. Curb the caffeine

"Too much coffee or caffeinated drinks can put extra stress on the liver and digestive system which impacts your body's natural detoxification process. "This build-up of toxins can have a negative effect on the health of your skin causing issues such as dry skin, redness and sensitivity."

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7. Skincare shouldn't stop at your face

"There can often be a temptation to focus on the health of the skin on our faces but we must remember that the whole body is covered in skin which is the largest organ of your body – so we need to make sure we are giving it the care it deserves."Our skin absorbs a percentage of the products we apply, so choose products that are gentle on skin with natural moisturisers."

Four in 10 people revealed that when they do get ill, they'll ask for advice from their family and friends - as well as checking their symptoms on the internet.

Which, as we know, is a VERY dangerous rabbit hole to fall into.

But over a third of people will turn to fruit and vegetables, believing that eating more of the good stuff will combat the illness.

And while the NHS don't say anything about the ability of fruit and veg to ward off the common cold, they do reckon that increasing your green intake could reduce the risk of heart disease, a stroke and some cancers.

Closer magazine's very own medical advisor, Dr. Christian Jessen, gave us his top 10 tips to stay healthy - small lifestyle changes that could make a big difference.

Christian Jessen
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The top 20 way Brits are preventing illness

  1. Eat a lot of fruit and veg

  2. Drink lots of fluids

  3. Take supplements (vitamins/minerals)

  4. Get eight hours sleep a night

  5. Walk in nature

  6. Regular weekly exercise

  7. Get lots of extra sleep

  8. Drink honey and lemon

  9. Take regular holidays

  10. Eat spices (turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon)

  11. Limit alcohol intake

  12. Eat fish several times a week

  13. Eat herbs (garlic, coriander, basil, rosemary)

  14. Eat foods rich in vitamins (E.g. B12 and folic acid)

  15. Don't drink alcohol at all

  16. Don't eat processed foods

  17. Limit caffeine intake

  18. Drink veg/fruit smoothies

  19. Drink herbal teas (peppermint, camomile, green tea, red bush)

  20. Limit chocolate intake

WATCH: Do we really need to eat 10 portions of fruit and veg a day?

Do you agree with these stats? Have you stopped going to the doctor in favour of fruit and veg? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter****.

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