We’ve been hearing the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” since we were kids. It is even mentioned at school, isn’t it? But does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? I believe you also want to know the answer so better keep reading.
This Pembrokeshire proverb was first seen in print in the 1866 edition of Notes and Queries magazine and has been passed down through generations. Although, eating apples is not for a cure but adding apples to your diet has significant effects on our health. Now, let’s know more about apples and how it is beneficial to our health.
Health benefits
A 2004 study illustrated the benefits of eating apples and its association to decreased number risk of chronic diseases.
Here are the nutrients we get from one large-sized, unpeeled raw apple (182 g) according to USDA.
Calories: 95 g
Fat: 0.3 g
Fiber: 4.4 g
Sugars: 18 9
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Protein: 0.5 g
Potassium: 195 g
What are the benefits of eating apples?
Cardiovascular Health
As illustrated, apples contain Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. A study has discussed that more fiber intake can contribute to preventing hypertension. Furthermore, fiber is also said to have cholesterol-lowering effects, This lowers the risks of cardiovascular-related strokes and diseases.
Type 2 Diabetes
Adding apples to our diet especially to type 2 diabetes patients is very helpful. The high fiber content of apples can reduce the sudden blood sugar increase. Also, it was shown in a Harvard study that compared to a high fiber diet, the low fiber diet doubled the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Cancer
Apple is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids may help prevent oxidative damage in a cell’s DNA that may develop cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, antioxidants are also known as “free radical scavengers”. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that can seriously harm the cells and antioxidants help to neutralize them.
Other Health Benefits :
May prevent obesity
The fiber content of an apple can also slow digestion and make you feel fuller after eating. This will prevent someone to overeat.
Good for Bone health
Some nutrients found in apples are thought to be associated with bone health such as Vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K and, magnesium. This is found to lower the risk of osteoporosis risk in middle-aged and elderly adults based on a 2017 study.
May Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
In the research of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adults 50 years old and older added just a small amount of apple and other flavonoid-rich foods like berries and tea compared to people who ate more flavonoid-rich foods. are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Stonger Immune System
Apples contain Vitamin C that boosts the body’s immune system. Vitamin C is said to be good for overall health and as an antioxidant, it also helps in the removal of unwanted substances from the
