Did you know why Fall is “apple season” (not just pumpkin spice season)? That’s because the apple harvest hits its peak during the months of August through November.

Now you know why the season is filled with apple pies, apple cider and other creative recipes using this tasty fruit. But there’s something else you should know about apples…they might help extend your lifespan!

Here are 5 reasons eating an apple a day really can help to keep the doctor away:

Antioxidants: Research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reports that certain antioxidants in apples may help you live longer.

The study tested a certain apple antioxidant on fruit flies (these flies have been used for decades as “stand-ins” for humans, since their genetics share many similarities to ours.)

As a result, the fruit flies boosted their lifespan by ten percent!

Polyphenols: What’s more, certain polyphenols (micronutrients that naturally occur in plants) in the apple helped preserve the fruit flies’ ability to move around, in addition to reversing levels of certain biochemical substances related to aging.

To be sure, more research needs to be done on humans. But seriously, what have you got to lose.

Polyphenols can also help in lowering blood pressure.

A polyphenol called flavonoids “can help prevent heart disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing “bad” LDL oxidation, and acting as antioxidants.” (Source: PubMed)

Fiber: Another component of apples is soluble fiber, which plays a huge role in lowering cholesterol.

“This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

“Studies suggest that increasing your dietary fiber intake — especially cereal fiber — is associated with a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and all cancers.” (Source: MayoClinic.org)

Blood Sugar: Chronically elevated levels of blood sugar (even when diabetes is NOT present) has been linked to acceleration of the aging process and serious diseases (like heart disease and Alzheimer’s, for example.)

So to stay young and vibrant, keep your blood sugar in check. Get it tested on a regular basis and use proper nutrition and regular exercise as your first line of defense.

Apples have been proven to help stabilize blood-sugar levels because of how the soluble fiber content helps slow down digestion, which in turn prevents blood-sugar spikes.

The perfect snack is apple & peanut butter, which adds protein that balances out the natural sugar content in apples.

Immunity: If your favorite apples happen to be red, you’re in for an immunity boosting surprise.

Red apples contain a compound called quercetin, which studies have shown to fortify the immune system, also easing the effects of stress on the body.

With research on apples being done on a regular basis, who knows what the future holds in terms of living longer.

But one thing’s for sure, these points prove that eating apples is a sure-fire way to put the odds greatly in your favor.

Follow the tried-and-true advice of eating an apple a day to “keep the doctor away” and you may also keep yourself feeling young and add a few years to your life.