<p>Catherine Bondonno, doctoral student in pharmacology at the University of Western Australia, researched the effect of apples on nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial function, which affect cardiovascular health.<br /><br />"The endothelium is a single layer of cells lining blood vessels and produces nitric oxide," says Bondonno.<br /><br />Flavonoids, collectively known as Vitamin P and cirtrin, concentrate in the skin of apples, which also give fruits their distinctive flavours. <br /><br />“Nitric oxide signals the surrounding muscles to relax, which causes the blood vessel to dilate increasing blood flow through the vessel,” a Western Australia statement quoted her as saying.<br /><br />Bondonno selected a group of healthy volunteers, who after undergoing a battery of tests, were randomly assigned to consume either the apple with skin first followed by the flesh only, or vice versa.<br /><br />On the study day, an apple was eaten with breakfast and again with lunch to account for the varying times the flavonoids peak in the blood stream.<br /><br />Results indicated that flavonoid rich apples improve nitric oxide status and endothelial functions, factors affecting cardiovascular health.</p>
<p>Catherine Bondonno, doctoral student in pharmacology at the University of Western Australia, researched the effect of apples on nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial function, which affect cardiovascular health.<br /><br />"The endothelium is a single layer of cells lining blood vessels and produces nitric oxide," says Bondonno.<br /><br />Flavonoids, collectively known as Vitamin P and cirtrin, concentrate in the skin of apples, which also give fruits their distinctive flavours. <br /><br />“Nitric oxide signals the surrounding muscles to relax, which causes the blood vessel to dilate increasing blood flow through the vessel,” a Western Australia statement quoted her as saying.<br /><br />Bondonno selected a group of healthy volunteers, who after undergoing a battery of tests, were randomly assigned to consume either the apple with skin first followed by the flesh only, or vice versa.<br /><br />On the study day, an apple was eaten with breakfast and again with lunch to account for the varying times the flavonoids peak in the blood stream.<br /><br />Results indicated that flavonoid rich apples improve nitric oxide status and endothelial functions, factors affecting cardiovascular health.</p>