Drinking to your heart's content

8:23am Wednesday 30th August 2006

THE health benefits of an apple a day are proving good news for an Ilminster cider producer.

Research by scientists from the University of Glasgow has shown that English cider apples are linked to protection against stroke, heart disease and cancer - and Perry's Cider of Dowlish Wake is backing the claim.

Marguerite Perry of Perry's Cider told the News: "I have lived with cider all my life but it did seem to keep people pretty fit.

"A lot of it was drunk in the fields - it was a stimulant and it kept people working.

"With the traditional cider nothing is added and it is made with the fresh apples."

Scientists from the university are set to run tests over the next few weeks to find out how phenolics - antioxidants found in English cider apples - are absorbed and metabolised by humans.

George Perry, manager of Perry's Cider, told the News: "I have heard before about the antioxidants in cider.

"Our cider is 100% apple juice so we get the most out of the health benefits."

Mr Perry said he promoted any research to find out more about the health benefits of cider and said he was looking forward to finding out the results of the tests.

He said: "Cider is having a boom at the moment because it is perceived as more natural than other alcoholic drinks.

"We don't play around with it and ours is as natural as it comes."

It has been found that some varieties of cider have higher levels of phenolics than others, with affecting factors including age of the fruit, light exposure, growing region and storage conditions.

Research into the health benefits of English cider apples is being funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the National Association of Cider Makers.