It is often said that an apple a day keep the doctor away – but now in-depth research looking at more than 150 studies has shown this might well be true.

It concluded that flavan-3-ols, a compound found in high quantities in apples, can improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

For maximum benefits, aim for 500mg of flavan-3-ol a day, which is the equivalent of an apple, some berries and two cups of tea.