Apples - Crunch Your Way to Healthy Nutrition

Everyone has heard the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but it's not just an old cliche, it’s true in a lot of ways. Apples have a variety of helpful vitamins, minerals, and fiber that make them extremely healthy. They can help with disease prevention, weight loss, and staying healthy in general. Not to mention there are thousands of different types of delicious apples, so whether you prefer a sweet red or yellow apple or a sour green one, there is always an apple for you.

6 benefits of eating apples:

 1. They’re nutritious

With little to no fat, cholesterol, or sodium, plus lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, apples are an extremely nutritious snack. Along with everything else on this list, apples’ good nutrition can also help you feel better by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol.

 2. They can decrease your risk of diseases

Because of all these nutrients, apples are very helpful in reducing your risk of developing many diseases, including several different types of cancers, asthma, and diabetes.

Apples have been linked to a decreased risk of several types of cancers, including colon, breast, and stomach. Apples contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that help to prevent and manage asthma. Multiple studies have also linked apples to a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

 3. They're good for your organs

Apples are very good for many of your organs, including the heart, brain, lungs, liver, and gut.

The soluble fiber in apples helps to lower blood cholesterol, which lowers your risk for heart disease. 

Apples contain ingredients called flavonoids, which are antioxidants that lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of strokes. They also help preserve a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that is involved in memory and could otherwise decrease as you get older, causing Alzheimer’s disease.

The antioxidants in apples can help protect your lungs and lower your risk of asthma and allergic reactions.

The vitamins, minerals, and a soluble fiber called pectin in apples all help to detoxify the liver. Pectin also acts as a prebiotic, increasing good bacteria in the gut and reducing your risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

 4. They're good for your bones and joints

Apples are known to help increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis by preserving bone mass as we age. Apples are also a natural anti-inflammatory, which improves joint health and can help with arthritis.

 5. They can help you lose weight 

Apples have very few calories, no fat, and they are high in dietary fiber, so they can also help you lose or maintain weight. 

 6. They’re good for your immune system

Apples (especially red apples) contain an antioxidant known as quercetin, which boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation. Apples are also very high in fiber, which is vital in keeping your bowels moving smoothly. They also contain an ingredient called pectin, which is a congealing agent that helps with diarrhea.

There are obviously a variety of ways apples can help you stay healthy. They can help prevent diseases and keep your mind and body working better even as you age. They can make you look and feel better by helping you lose weight and boosting your immune system. And to top it all off, they even taste good and require no preparation to enjoy.