Eating an apple a day does not actually keep the doctor away - but it might stop you going to your pharmacist . Researchers looked at data on 8,399 US adults and initially found evidence to support the proverb . They discovered that those who had one small apple a day had a nine per cent lower chance of visiting the doctor several times a year . However when they adjusted their statistics for other factors , their conclusions changed . The University of Michigan researchers adjusted for ways that ‘ apple eaters might be very different from everyone else , ’ such as how they were less likely to smoke and be more educated . Eating an apple a day does not actually keep the doctor away - but it might stop you going to your pharmacist . Apple eaters were less likely to use prescription medicines , researchers found . Considering those factors , the study found that people who eat an apple a day were just as likely as everyone else to go to doctors . They were also just as likely to stay overnight in a hospital or visit a mental health professional . Apple eaters were , however , less likely to use prescription medication . Of the 8,399 adults who took part in the study 753 , or nine per cent , ate an apple a day while 7,646 , or 91 per cent , did not . Lead author Matthew Davis , an assistant professor at the University of Michigan 's school of nursing , said : ‘ Our findings suggest that the promotion of apple consumption may have limited benefit in reducing national health care spending . ‘ In the age of evidence-based assertions , however , there may be merit to saying : ‘ An apple a day keeps the pharmacist away . ' ’ Apples have long been known to promote good health and contain vitamin C , which aids the immune system . They also reduce tooth decay by cleaning the teeth and may even protect your brain cells from conditions like Alzheimer ’ s . The proverb about eating an apple a day can be traced back to Pembrokeshire in the 1860s where it was said by locals . Apple eaters were less likely to use prescription medicines , less likely to smoke and more educated than non-apple eaters , researchers found . The original version is said to be : ‘ Eat an apple on going to bed , and you ’ ll keep the doctor from earning his bread ’ . Over the years it became : ‘ An apple a day , no doctor to pay ’ and : ‘ An apple a days sends the doctor away ’ . The modern use of the phrase was first recorded in 1922 . Wendy Brannen , director of public relations for the US Apple Association , said that the research should not put people off eating apples . She said : ‘ While we appreciate the University of Michigan ( a top apple-growing state , by the way ) took the time to put the `` apple a day '' adage to the test , it 's foolish to even imply you should n't enjoy a daily apple for your health when centuries of advice and stacks of current research would imply otherwise . ’
doctors wanted to know if ' an apple a ##roma keeps the doctor away ' was true . ordinary apple eaters were equally likely to report to the doctor as well . However , they were less likely than to use prescription medication . Apple eaters were also more educated and less likely to fail .