WEIGHT LOSS STUDIES

Women who ate three small apples or pears a day lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women who didn’t add fruit to their diet.

Researchers at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, studying the impact of fruit intake on weight loss, found that overweight women who ate just 300 grams of apples or pears – that’s equal to three small fruits a day - lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women who didn’t add fruit to their diet. In addition, the fruit eaters ate fewer calories overall, boosting their weight loss efforts.

Researchers suggested several theories as to why apple and pear consumption may promote weight loss. First, fruits like apples and pears are “low energy-density” foods – that is, they have a relatively low calorie count compared to other non-fruit foods. Second, research has shown that eating a high-fiber diet (calorie intake being equal) promotes post meal “satiety” leaving subjects feeling fuller for longer. And finally, research has also established that eating a high-fiber diet decreased total calorie intake, thus contributing to weight loss. (Source: Nutrition Magazine, 2003)