A new study has revealed that eating an apple a day or drinking its juice can cut one’s risk of metabolic syndrome, which is defined as a group of three or more conditions including hypertension, increased waist size and abdominal fat.

All these conditions are closely associated with chronic diseases such diabetes and heart problems.

Dr. Victor Fulgoni, Ph.D., studied the food consumption data gathered in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey - the government’s largest food consumption and health database.

The study results, presented at the Experimental Biology 2008 meeting, showed that apple-product eaters experienced a 27% lower likelihood of increased waist circumference, predictor of cardiovascular disease and increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome, as compared to those who didn’t eat apple.

He also noted that apple eaters were healthier than non-consumers.

Additionally, they had significantly reduced C-reactive protein levels that are a measurable marker for cardiovascular risk.

Lastly the facts pointed that apple product consumers ate better diets, which included more fruit and key nutrients including dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium and potassium.

The apple devotees also ate less total fat, saturated fat, discretionary fat and added sugars.