Is eating one apple every single day really that good for you? Or could it actually be doing more harm?

It’s a saying we heard on repeat at school, but was it just teachers’ desperate attempts to try and get us to eat more fruit over sweets or is eating one piece of fruit every day really advantageous when it comes to our health?

Well, a study has looked into the correlation between fruit intake and death relating to high blood pressure so if you fancied a more informed approach to a New Year’s resolution for 2025 then look no further.

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? (Getty Stock Images)

The study – published in Frontiers this year – explains there’s ‘extensive research’ which shows the benefits of eating fruit on ‘overall health’ but the ‘influence of fruit consumption on mortality rates among hypertensive individuals remains uncertain’.

“Consequently, aim of this study is to evaluate whether fruit consumption is associated with all-cause mortality among hypertensive patients,” it adds.

For the study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) looked at 2,480 patients diagnosed with hypertension.

Cleveland Clinic explains: “High blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms and can be dangerous if not treated. Hypertension puts you at risk for stroke, heart attack and other problems.

“Nearly half of adults who have hypertension don’t realize it. So, checkups are crucial. Dietary changes, exercise and medicine can help you keep your blood pressure where it should be.”

Participants were asked how often they ate apples and also bananas, pears, pineapples and grapes on average over the last year and their eating habits were then analyzed, put into categories of: “Unknown, less than once /month, 1–3 times/month, 1–2 times/ week, three to six times/ week, or once or more /day.”

Other fruit are beneficial too (Getty Stock Images)

The study explains its findings revealed adults with hypertension who ate apples ‘three to six times per week’ had a ‘significantly lower risk of mortality compared to those who consumed them less than once a month’ – around 30 percent less likely to die prematurely, the Post states.

But what about pears or pineapples I hear you cry? Well, it continues: “The study findings demonstrate that consuming apples or bananas three to six times per week is correlated with reduced all-cause mortality among individuals with hypertension, whereas no significant correlation was observed between the consumption of pears, pineapples, and grapes and lower all-cause mortality risks.

“Additionally, consuming a combination of apples and bananas three to six times per week may be associated with the greatest reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality.”

So, an apple every other day to every day certainly may help keep the doctor – or more specifically in this study’s case, morgue – away.

Scientists have revealed how human penises have increased in size over the years and why that might not necessarily be a good thing.

The topic of size is certainly a divisive one; many argue studies looking into penis size may not be overly accurate, as men could easily lie about the size of their manhood.

Despite that, there are a lot of studies out there, and a more recent one looked into the average penis size from way back in 1942 up until 2021.

While flaccid penis lengths have remained the same over the years, researchers found the average erect penis length has increased massively over the last 30 years.

Human penises have increased over the years (Getty Stock Photo)

The results were made up after 55,761 men all over the world took part in the study, with the results only being included if the measurement was carried out by an investigator.

As such, self-reported data was not included within the results, which in turn should improve reliability.

The team of researchers explained in their results: “Erect length increased significantly over time in several regions of the world and across all age groups.

“After adjusting for geographic region, subject age, and subject population; erect penile length increased 24 percent over the past 29 years.”

In terms of numbers, the average erect penis size has increased from 4.8 inches to 6 inches over the space of 30 years – but that’s not necessarily good news.

The lead researcher behind the study believes chemical exposure interacting with hormones may have contributed towards the increase.

Heck, Michael Eisenberg, a professor of urology at Stanford Medicine, thought that, before the study was completed, penis size may have decreased over the past three decades.

The team have looked into the average penis size since 1942 (Getty Stock Photo)

The team also wanted to look at how changes to men’s reproductive health in recent years, like declining sperm count, would have impacted the results.

The lead author said: “Given the trends we’d seen in other measures of men’s reproductive health, we thought there could be a decline in penile length due to the same environmental exposures.

“There could be a number of factors at play, such as chemical exposure, like pesticides or hygiene products, interacting with our hormonal systems. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals – there are many – exist in our environment and our diet.”

He continued: “As we change our body’s constitution that also affects our hormonal milieu. Chemical exposure has also been posited as a cause for boys and girls going into puberty earlier, which can affect genital development.”

Research looking into the link between ADHD and eating habits has revealed that what and how you eat could be an indicator of the disorder.

What is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – more commonly known as ADHD – is a neurodevelopmental condition which results in a lack of attention and/or hyperactivity which can interfere with day-to-day functioning or development.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

There are a number of indicators that a person may have ADHD, though the ADHD UK website notes that they depend on the age of the person, how long the symptoms have been present for, and whether or not they’re appropriate for the relevant developmental stage.

Inattention

Examples of inattention include making careless mistakes, failing to listen when spoken to, failing to follow through on instructions, and trouble organizing tasks.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

These symptoms may be apparent in behaviors such as fidgeting, excessive talking, and trouble waiting for their turn.

Inactivity is a symptom of ADHD (Getty Stock Photo)

What research has been done into diet and ADHD?

A paper published in the Journal of Attention Disorders explores the link between eating habits and ADHD, with study author Laura Dalnoki and her colleagues researching potential links in young Dutch people aged 16 to 20.

To begin the study, the researchers analyzed data from a 2000-2002 study which looked at pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, and collected data from the children of the parents involved in the study, resulting in 810 adolescent-parent pairs.

The young participants then completed an assessment about their diets, which looked at 28 different food and drinks and questioned often they consumed each item.

The participants also reported whether they had ever been diagnosed with ADHD.

In the meantime, the parents in the study reported on any of their children’s behavioral problems and impulsivity.

The study noticed a pattern with snacking (Getty Stock Photo)

What is the link between diet and ADHD?

After considering the results, the researchers found that the participants’ diets could be categorized into five groups:

1. Snacks – including dried snacks, chips and nuts, as well as a high intake of soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit juice
2. Healthy – lettuce, raw vegetables, fruit, eggs, and tea
3. Animal-based – dairy products, meat, and fish
4. Sweet – pastries, candy, chocolate bars, cake, and biscuits
5. Beverages – diet soft drinks, light fruit juices/drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks

There were 80 participants who had been diagnosed with ADHD, and the researchers found that this group of people reported eating food and drinks from the ‘snacks’ group more frequently than those without ADHD.

The study authors also noted that participants who scored higher on the ADHD symptom severity assessments completed by their parents were found to consume food and drink items from the snacks category more frequently, and that participants who scored higher on impulsivity seemed to consume sweet items less often, but from the beverage group more often.

All in all, the study authors concluded that impulsivity, ‘rather than ADHD itself’, showed the strongest link to dietary behavior through its association with increased snack consumption. However, since impulsivity is a symptom of ADHD, this also provides a link to the condition.

The authors acknowledged that further research may be needed to fully understand the link, but added: “Targeting adolescents’ impulsive behavior could notably influence their dietary choices, potentially offering substantial health benefits.”

Studies on the topic of sex seem to be endless these days, with new findings revealing how many times people are having sex per month based on age.

I think it’s generally believed the older you get the less action in the bedroom you are having.

But according to the new research, that’s not necessarily the case.

A report done by researchers from Kinsey Institute at Indiana University details how much sex each generation is having.

In particular, the study boffins looked at the average number of times people from different generations have sex on a monthly basis.

The results were somewhat surprising. (Getty Stock Photo)

Experts completed the report, ‘The State of Dating: How Gen Z is Redefining Sexuality and Relationships’, in conjunction with the dating app Feeld.

3,310 users on the dating app were included in the study, and it provided some interesting findings about Gen Z.

The study concluded Gen Zers are having less sex and fewer relationships than generations that came before.

Lead researcher, Dr Justin Lehmiller, wrote in the report: “Gen Z and Boomers exhibited nearly identical sexual frequencies, suggesting that both the youngest and oldest adults are having the least sex.

“Also, nearly half of Gen Z reported that they were single, compared to only one-fifth of Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.”

Gen Z are having less sex than previous generations. (Getty Stock Photo)

Gen Z said they had sex three times in the last month, while both millennials and Gen X got dirty five times in a month.

While Gen Z may be having less sex, they are said to be more adventurous than their older generations.

Of the study participants, 55 percent of Gen Zers said they’d discovered a new kink since joining Feeld, compared to 49 percent of Millennials, 39 percent of Gen Xers and 33 percent of Boomers.

The researchers explained: “There are at least two explanations for this.

“One is simply that older adults have had more time to learn and discover what they enjoy about sex, so they may have already uncovered their kinks.

“However, the other is that it also appears to be the case that younger adults today have a greater overall interest in kink than older adults, which may create greater openness to exploring and learning about one’s kinks.”

As for preferred relationship types, Gen Zers tended to favor old-fashioned monogamy (23 percent), Millennials and Gen Xers preferred ethical non-monogamy (24 percent and 27 percent respectively), while Boomers favor friends with benefits (27 percent).