<P> "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is a common English - language proverb of Welsh origin . It espouses the folk - wisdom that apple consumption (or consumption of fruits and vegetables in general) has identifiable health benefits . </P> <P> First recorded in the 1860s, the proverb originated in Wales, and was particularly prevalent in Pembrokeshire . The original wording of the saying was "Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread ." The current phrasing, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away", began usage at the end of the 19th century, early print examples found as early as 1899 . </P> <P> The background for the proverb was that at bedtime it was served either a fried apple filled with caraway seeds or a fresh apple with caraway seeds stuck in the apple . Caraway was considered very healthy and the apple was a way to eat as much caraway as possible . </P>

One apple a day keeps the doctor away