A team of researchers from St George's Hospital Medical School studied the lung function of more than 2,500 men aged from 45 to 49, and found that good lung function was associated with high intakes of vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.

Interestingly, when the researchers took into consideration such factors as body mass, smoking history and exercise, the only food that appeared to make a significant difference was apples.

It was found that eating five or more apples a week was linked to a better lung function.

While eating more apples might simply reflect a more healthy diet and life style, apples do contain high levels of an antioxidant flavonoid which is also found in red wine, and may be important in protecting the lungs from the harmful effects of atmospheric pollutants and cigarette smoke.

Since the Romans brought apples to Britain, over 6,000 varieties have been grown over the centuries. However, commercial pressures are producing a bland uniformity and supermarkets only stock something like eight varieties, including the French Golden Delicious and the American Granny Smith.

You will find a greater variety of British apples in the Farmer's Markets, from early season "Discovery" through to late keeping "Red Pippin", from crisp and tasty "Cox's Orange Pippin" to soft and sweet "Blenheim Orange"

English apples provide us with a real fruit feast.

Other favourites include Royal Gala, Ribstones Pippin, Egremont Russet, Jonagold, James Grieve, Worcester Pearman, Laxton's Fortune and. of course Bramley, the favourite cooking apple.