Apples, pears, and red wine may help reduce coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women because of their high flavonoid content, according to the U.S. Apple Association. Flavonoids are antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The association recently reported on a study published in the March 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that was conducted by researchers from around the world, including the University of Minnesota and the University of Oslo in Norway.

The study involved 34,000 women whose diets and health have been monitored for almost 20 years as part of the ongoing Iowa Women’s Health Study.

Researchers analyzed what they ate, the types of cardiovascular-related diseases they had, and the flavonoid content of an extensive list of foods. They concluded that consumption of apples, pears, and red wine was linked with the lowest risk of mortality from heart disease.