7 Ways Apples Can Keep You Healthy

5. Protect Joints

In areas of the world where fruits and vegetables are a large part of the diet, very few people develop arthritis. Compare this to modern countries where fruits and vegetables have been replaced by fast, processed foods and you will find up to 70 percent of the population suffers from some form of arthritis. Just a coincidence? Not according to nutritionists. They link this trend in part to boron, a rare mineral that many plants, including apples, absorb from the soil. If you eat like most people, you will get about 1 to 2 milligrams (mg) of boron per day, mostly from non-acidic fruits, leafy vegetables and nuts. Experts believe, however, that you need between 3 and 10 mg per day to affect your risk of developing arthritis.