We all know the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Why is that? Are apples that healthy indeed? Apple is a common fruit millions of people eat every day and is one of the cheapest you’ll find as well. According to studies, they are full of vitamins, minerals, and digestible fiber, which makes them a perfect food for our health. But how healthy apples are really?
By eating an apple per day, you should be able to keep the doctor away. They are full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of other healthy nutrients that can improve your health on so many levels. Below you can see just a fraction of the benefits of apples and why you need to add them on your daily menu.
Improve Brain Health
Eating apples regularly will reduce the oxidative stress to your brain. This stress is essentially an imbalance in the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to detoxify harmful components. In this case, free radicals can overwhelm our system and cause a lot of damage to vital organs including the brain.
However, that can be neutralized by consuming apples. They can protect our neuron cells from oxidative damage and prevent neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s) to a point. Of course, apples are not a miracle food against these diseases, but they can reduce the risk.
Full of Antioxidants
Apples have the strongest antioxidant activity when compared to any other fruit. They have an abundance of free phenolic compounds that are easily absorbed in our bloodstream. According to a study done at Cornell University, eating apples every day can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The study showed them being efficient against different types of cancer. Of course, this needs to be studies more, so don’t think of apples as a way to prevent cancer.
However, by including them in your diet, the risk of this dangerous disease drops down. Other studies have shown that apples can also reduce the risk of asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease as well. Many experts recommend them against type 2 diabetes, so it really pays off to add them to your diet.
Improve Heart Health
Thanks to their rich flavonoid content, apples can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease better than any other fruit. Many studies have pointed to flavonoids as the ‘culprits’ for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, making apples a must in our diets.
Protect the Teeth
You know that refreshing feeling of biting into an apple? Well, it comes with a long list of benefits. Apples are great for your oral hygiene. Studies have found them as a great form of protection against tooth decay. They work by increasing your saliva production which keeps harmful bacteria away from your teeth.
Apples also work great against bad breath. Halitosis is an unpleasant problem to have, but it can easily be fixed by apples. Their texture allows them to scrub your tongue and gums as you chew, which effectively removes food particles from your mouth and prevents bad breath.
Further Apple Benefits
Besides the aforementioned benefits, apples can improve your health in other ways too. For example, they can reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood, aid in weight loss, prevent eye diseases, and reduce the risk of hemorrhoids too.
Apples are a perfect weapon in the fight against a bunch of health problems, so now’s the perfect time to add them to your daily diet. They’re tasty and will definitely keep the doctor away.
