While there may well be a grain of truth in many 'old wives' tales', which ones are worth taking note of when we're aiming for a healthy diet?

Surinder Phull, Head Nutrition Consultant at Eat Well (www.eatwell.co.uk) in London, advises us on what to make of some of the popular assumptions regarding food and health.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Surinder says: 'These claims are overstated a bit, really, but basically apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and disease-protecting antioxidants.

'Also, the skin contains pectin, which is a valuable source of fibre for healthy digestion. Apples are every bit as useful for your immune system as fruits that are publicised as super foods, such as blueberries.'