Does An Apple A Day Really Keep The Doctor Away?

Do you need a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack as a pick-me-up that will tide you over to lunch, but won’t pack on the pounds? Try an apple. Apples are easy to transport, filled with nutrients and contains a lot of fiber. They have health benefits that can aid in preventing serious conditions. In fact, it’s one of the reasons the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” got its start. It really can help you stay healthier.

Apples are extremely nutritious.

You might underestimate an apple because it seems to simple to have all those nutrients. It has macronutrients like carbs for energy and lots of fiber to keep you feeling full longer. In fact, apples contain approximately 30% of your daily requirement for fiber. Apples also contain vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, E and K. They contain manganese and potassium.

Boost your heart health with apples.

There’s a definite link between the number of apples consumed and heart disease. The more eaten, the lower the risk of heart disease. You may wonder why. Some believe it’s the fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels. One study showed that an apple a day was as effective as statin drugs. Another potential reason apples are heart healthy are the phytochemicals, like the polyphenol, anthocyanin. Eat the skin of the apple if you want the biggest concentration of beneficial nutrients. The skin contains epicatechin, which lower blood pressure and is linked to a reduced risk of stroke.

Apples can help you lose weight.

Obesity is the leading cause of preventable deaths and apples can help prevent obesity and aid in weight loss. It’s all about the fiber in apples, since one study compared people eating applesauce, drinking apple juice or eating an apple before a meal and found it was the whole apple eaters that ate the least. One study found that eating an apple a day lowered the risk of type2 diabetes, which may come from the apple’s polyphenols.

• If you eat an apple a day, you’ll have healthier bones. The anti-inflammatories and antioxidants of the apples help prevent the loss of calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis and less bone density.
• The juice of the apple may provide brain protection by boosting the health of the neurotransmitters that operate in the area of memory.
• If you’re taking painkillers like Advil or Motrin on a regular basis, provide a buffer for your stomach lining by eating an apple a day. NSAIDs taken regularly can otherwise cause damage.
• The anti-inflammatories and antioxidants in apples can help keep your immune system in check to provide lung protection, particularly for those with asthma.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition