Many of us forget that sometimes, the simplest answers are the best. Read on for 15 health benefits of apples. · September is here and with it, the start of the harvest season of one of our favorite superfoods (and superfruits!) the apple. It's no surprise that apples. But as a registered dietitian, I know that apples have surprising nutritional benefits that justify the “apple a day” adage. Here are some of apples. Researchers are uncovering the many ways that apples keep us healthy. Keep clicking to find out more about the top health benefits of apples.
Apples boost your immune system. While they don't quite rival oranges, apples are considered a good source of immune system- boosting vitamin C, with over 8 milligrams per medium- sized fruit, which amounts to roughly 1. Apples may fight cancer. In 2. 00. 4, French research found that a chemical in apples helped prevent colon cancer, Web. MD reported. And in 2. Cornell University found additional compounds, called triterpenoids, which seem to fight against liver, colon, and breast cancers. They decrease the risk of diabetes.
A 2. 01. 2 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that apples, as well as pears and blueberries, were linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes because of a class of antioxidants, anthocyanins, that are also responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in fruits and veggies. They're good for your brain.
The fruit has been linked to an uptick in acetylcholine production, which communicates between nerve cells, so apples may help your memory and lower your chances of developing Alzheimer's. More on Huffington Post Healthy Living: 5. Life- Changing Health Books. Why Do We Get Hangovers? Fix Your Form: Stop Using THIS Machine Today.
Health Benefits of Apples. What makes apples so great?
In 2. 00. 4, USDA scientists investigated over 1. Two apples’Red Delicious and Granny Smith’ranked 1. Antioxidants are disease- fighting compounds. Scientists believe these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation damage that happens during normal cell activity.
Apples are also full of a fibre called pectin – a medium- sized apple contains about 4 grams of fibre. Pectin is classed as a soluble, fermentable and viscous fibre, a combination that gives it a huge list of health benefits. Get whiter, healthier teeth. An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria. Avoid Alzheimer’s.
A new study performed on mice shows that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain. Mice in the study that were fed an apple- enhanced diet showed higher levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and did better in maze tests than those on a regular diet. Protect against Parkinson’s.
Research has shown that people who eat fruits and other high- fibre foods gain a certain amount of protection against Parkinson’s, a disease characterized by a breakdown of the brain’s dopamine- producing nerve cells. Scientists have linked this to the free radical- fighting power of the antioxidants contained therein. Curb all sorts of cancers. Scientists from the American Association for Cancer Research, among others, agree that the consumption of flavonol- rich apples could help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 2. Researchers at Cornell University have identified several compounds – triterpenoids – in apple peel that have potent anti- growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon and breast. Their earlier research found that extracts from whole apples can reduce the number and size of mammary tumours in rats.
Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute in the U. S. has recommended a high fibre intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Decrease your risk of diabetes. Women who eat at least one apple a day are 2. Apples are loaded with soluble fibre, the key to blunting blood sugar swings. Steel Cut Oats on this page. Reduce cholesterol. The soluble fibre found in apples binds with fats in the intestine, which translates into lower cholesterol levels and a healthier you.
Get a healthier heart. An extensive body of research has linked high soluble fibre intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol- rich plaque in your arteries. The phenolic compound found in apple skins also prevents the cholesterol that gets into your system from solidifying on your artery walls. When plaque builds inside your arteries, it reduces blood flow to your heart, leading to coronary artery disease. Prevent gallstones. Gallstones form when there’s too much cholesterol in your bile for it to remain as a liquid, so it solidifies. They are particularly prevalent in the obese.
To prevent gallstones, doctors recommend a diet high in fibre to help you control your weight and cholesterol levels. Beat diarrhea and constipation. Whether you can’t go to the bathroom or you just can’t stop, fibre found in apples can help. Fibre can either pull water out of your colon to keep things moving along when you’re backed up, or absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down. Neutralize irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and bloating. To control these symptoms doctors recommend staying away from dairy and fatty foods while including a high intake of fibre in your diet. Avert hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are a swollen vein in the anal canal and while not life threatening, these veins can be very painful. They are caused by too much pressure in the pelvic and rectal areas.
Part and parcel with controlling constipation, fibre can prevent you from straining too much when going to the bathroom and thereby help alleviate hemorrhoids. Control your weight. Many health problems are associated with being overweight, among them heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.
To manage your weight and improve your overall health, doctors recommend a diet rich in fibre. Foods high in fibre will fill you up without costing you too many calories. Detoxify your liver. We’re constantly consuming toxins, whether it is from drinks or food, and your liver is responsible for clearing these toxins out of your body. Many doctors are skeptical of fad detox diets, saying they have the potential to do more harm than good.
Luckily, one of the best – and easiest – things you can eat to help detoxify your liver is fruits – like apples. Boost your immune system. Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin.
Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when you’re stressed out. Prevent cataracts. Though past studies have been divided on the issue, recent long- term studies suggest that people who have a diet rich in fruits that contain antioxidants – like apples – are 1. Don’t miss out! Sign up for our free weekly newsletters and get nutritious recipes, healthy weight- loss tips, easy ways to stay in shape and all the health news you need, delivered straight to your inbox.