Apples – A Healthier Life, One Bite at a Time!
Apples are one of the most commonly consumed fruits in the world, and rightly so as there is nothing better than biting into a crisp and juicy apple and knowing that you are eating something that is good for you. If you follow the old cliché that an “apple a day keeps the doctor away”, then you are just one fruit closer to completing the daily recommended fruit servings we all should be having. Like all fruits, apples should be incorporated into our diets not just because they are a great snack, but because they can help us lead a healthier life one bite at a time.
Apples, like other fruits, are packed full of nutrients that our bodies require to function to the fullest. The following are just a few ways in which the nutrients in vitamins can help use lead fuller lives:
- Fiber- Perhaps one of the most beneficial nutrients that you can gain from eating apples; it is responsible for helping us maintain a healthy digestive tract.
- Phenols- Antioxidants within the skins of apples help your skin to build its UV-B protection to the sun.
- Flavinoids- An antioxidant that is proven to help reduce the likelihood of stroke and heart disease in adults
- Phloridzin- An antioxidant has been proven to reduce the risk of bone loss
- Quercitin- A flavinoid antioxidant helps to decrease the risk of memory loss
Keep in mind when adding apples to your daily diet that there is little to no fat in this fruit and that they can lower bad LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing good HDL cholesterol numbers.
As you can see the powers of apples go beyond keeping the doctor away. Research suggests that apples have the capability to reduce the risks of certain cancers and prevent Alzheimer’s in individuals who regularly consume them. Not to mention apples are a great sweet, yet healthy treat for diabetics and you can make apples part of your weight loss management endeavors.
Another great thing about apples are they are one of the easiest fruits to keep and carry without fear of bruising or damaging. Whether they are eaten with peanut butter or baked in a healthy muffin, you can feel good about sneaking another bite of an apple as you are on your way to a healthier life.