Health Benefits of Apple
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an apple? If you’re like most people, it’s not health benefits. Apples are often associated with being healthy, but they are usually thought of as snacks, desserts, or ingredients in other foods. While they are used in these ways and more, there are also many health benefits of app-les that people don’t realize at first glance! Here are ten benefits of app-les to get you started on your quest to improve your health with apples!
1) Heart health
The health benefits of apples are vast and scientifically proven. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that can help reduce your risk for chronic illnesses such as heart disease. And if you’re an Ap-ple lover like I am, you may be surprised to learn that more than a dozen unique varieties boast different nutritional values.
2) Brain Health
Eating app-les can help ward off cognitive decline and age-related memory loss. According to a 2012 study published in Neurology, people who ate three or more ap-ples per week had a significantly lower risk of developing age-related memory loss.
3) Anti-aging
Apple extracts are a natural source of enzymes that can fight off free radicals, which cause aging. They contain antioxidants and vitamin C to help your body fight off infections and help your vision. And, even better, its don’t have any calories or fat. So grab an app-le and stick it in your lunchtime salad!
4) Weight Loss
Research has shown that people who eat at least one apple per day are less likely to be overweight than those who eat less. Interestingly, scientists aren’t exactly sure why its have such a significant impact on weight loss. Still, they speculate that it may have something to do with their fiber content— it is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Because most people don’t get enough fiber in their diets, app-les help makes up for any deficiency.
5) Joint Pain Relief
Although eating apples can’t cure joint pain, new research has found that eating two apples per day for one month can ease arthritic symptoms in women. Researchers believe it might have something to do with antioxidants like polyphenols and quercetin, commonly found in apples. Eat more if you want to find relief from your joint pain without medicine!
6) Antibacterial Properties
According to a study in The Journal of Food Science, apples have high levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants linked to antibacterial properties. The researchers claim that eating app-les can help prevent food-borne illnesses like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. Be sure to buy organic when you eat apples, so you don’t consume any pesticides.
7) Improve lung function
You can thank your lungs for oxygenating your blood and keeping you alive. According to a study published in Respiratory Medicine, people who ate three apples or drank juices daily had improved lung function over 12 weeks compared to those who didn’t eat apples. Respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are even more common today than 50 years ago, thanks to sedentary lifestyles, pollution, and increased use of tobacco products.
8) Digestive Health
While many people think of apples as a snack food, they are also rich in nutrients and fiber, essential in maintaining digestive health. Most fruits have pectin—a soluble fiber that helps remove cholesterol from your body and supports detoxification—but It contains more than most fruits do. One app-le contains more pectin than a cup of prunes!
9) Cholesterol Management
Cholesterol is a waxy substance in your body that helps maintain cell membranes and is essential for digestion. However, too much cholesterol can damage blood vessels, raising your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Luckily, apples are rich in pectin, which has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 8 percent. Researchers credit pectin’s high water content and ability to make people feel full faster than other foods with these effects.
10) Allergy Symptoms Relief
Eating apples may help relieve symptoms of allergies, including a runny nose and a sore throat. This can be attributed to high levels of quercetin, an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce inflammation.
