Apples

Most people could use more fruit in their daily diet, according to surveys. Apples are a handy and reliable way to check that box every day.

Different apple varieties can satisfy tastebuds that lean toward tart or sweet. And apples are a good source of fiber. Apple skins have fiber that doesn't break down in water, called insoluble fiber. The inside part of the apple has soluble fiber, which becomes a sort of gel as it travels through the intestines.

Soluble and insoluble fiber helps keep food moving in the digestive system and may lower the risk of getting some cancers. Soluble fiber also may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Like other plant foods, apples have phytonutrients. These are things like vitamin C, and in apples, flavonoids, as well as many others. Together these chemicals seem to support the body's cells against damage from day-to-day living.