Archaeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C. and people have been enjoying them ever since.

In 2005, the average United States consumer ate nearly 17 pounds of fresh market apples, doing their best to keep the doctor away.

Besides being delicious, apples are full of vitamins and minerals.

"They also have some antioxidants that we don't often think about getting," said Registered Dietitian Megan Vilhauer.

Vilhauer says whether your favorite apple is yellow, green or red in they have flavanoids which can help reduce cancer.

"They also have the anti-oxidants called tannins and what tannins do is they help keep our gums healthy and they may also help prevent the reoccurrence of of urinary tract infections."

Nutrition authorities across the globe agree: a diet full of fruits and vegetables is key to maintaining good health and an apple fits right in.

"A medium apple only has about 95 calories in it and it offers 4.5 grams of fiber which is pretty good."

Just keep in mind that if you peel the apple, you're losing 1 gram of fiber and half of the apple's Vitamin C.

The great thing about this time of year is that apples are coming in fresh from the orchard so it'll be hard to find a bad apple, but in a few months you may want to be more selective.

"Apples that are shiny, tend to be the better one's to choose so you want an apple that's shiny without bruises or blemishes on it."

And if you're going to turn an apple into apple pie or apple crisp, the best baking apples are Granny Smith, Janigold or McIntosh.