Glasgow: Cider, the fermented juice drink made from apples, may help protect against an array of diseases.

Even one glass daily may protect against stroke, heart disease and cancer according to research carried out at Glasgow University

Now a trial on patients in which they will be asked to drink a pint of cider a day, to see how the body reacts to the antioxidants known as phenolics.

Dr Serena Marks, who is leading the University of Glasgow study, said there was a connection between the antioxidants and protection from some diseases and that cider contained a higher amount of these beneficial substances than applies.

The scientists tested 19 varieties of English cider apple and 35 types of cider.