Hey there, folks.
You know that saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
You probably first heard it back in kindergarten.
I still live with my mom so I’m told that everyday!
While this expression can be irritating, there is some truth to it.
Today, we’ll be talking about Why You Should Eat An Apple Everyday.
We know not all of you have apples on a list of your favourite foods, but dang are they
good for you!
Do they assist in weight loss?
How about heart benefits?
Can apples really prevent type 2 diabetes?
Or even cancer?
We’re talking all that AND more...
Apples Supply Your Body With Great Nutrients
When it comes to your health, apples are a nutrient goldmine.
Just biting into one means opening a floodgate of amazing health benefits.
For those of you who aren’t apple enthusiasts, prepare to have your mind changed...
For starters, the average medium-sized apple is around 72 calories.
You are also looking at around 13% of your daily fiber intake.
And let’s not forget about Vitamins.
Eating one apple means you are receiving about 6 mg of Vitamin C, which is 11% of your recommended
intake for the day.
There are also satisfying amounts of manganese, potassium, Vitamin K and copper.
Now, you may be saying to yourself, “Sure apples have a lot of nutrients, but you said
‘benefits’.
What benefits will eating an apple a day provide me with?”
Well let’s get into that…
Eating Apples Can Help You Lose Weight
Geeze, apples are looking better already, aren’t they?
One of the great benefits of eating any fruit is potential weight loss.
Apples are surprisingly filling.
Because of their high fiber content, this fruit will make you feel full for a longer
period of time.
Not to mention all the water you are consuming by eating a single one.
A study conducted in 2009 focused on people who begin their meal by eating sliced apples.
As it turns out, they consumed 200 calories less than people who didn’t eat apples before
meals.
The average woman needs about 2000 calories per day, while the average man should have
2500.
In order to lose weight, it is recommended that you subtract 500 calories from your daily
diet.
If your schedule is a little hectic, and you have zero time to head to the gym, have no
fear!
Munching on an apple is a great place to start the weight loss process.
Apples Lower Your Risk of Diabetes
Diabetes is listed among the world’s most glaring health concerns.
Did you know that an estimated 1 in 3 adults in the United States are prediabetic?
No kidding.
By 2013, around 382 million people around the world are estimated to have diabetes.
That number is predicted to shoot up to almost 600 million by 2035!
For those of you concerned about diabetes, well you may want to consult a doctor.
But in the kitchen, you can start eating apples.
Research has linked the consumption of apples to decreasing a person’s risk of diabetes.
Take this one study for example.
This piece of research from 2011 focused on people who ate one apple every day, as well
as a group who didn’t.
By the end, those who ate apples had a 28% less chance of diabetes.
You see, apples contain a type of soluble fiber called pectin.
This acid is released into the bloodstream, helping to maintain a proper level of blood
sugar.
So it’s safe to say that when it comes to fighting the risk of diabetes, apples are
on your side.
There’s no way you can so ‘no’ to one now.
Or can you?
Well how’s this for a confidence boost...
Apples Potentially Prevent Cancer
Now let me quickly say that this is not a certainty.
Many studies have simply pointed toward this claim being true.
For instance, lab studies have shown that several compounds found in apples have the
potential to prevent cancer from growing.
Keep in mind, further studies are needed to confirm this.
Apples contain several nutrients and polyphenols that may very well assist in cancer prevention.
The apple peel even carries chemical compounds of its own.
These are known as triterpenoids, which as evidence suggests, may help battle cancer
as well as several other diseases.
A study conducted back in 2005 suggested that people who scarfed down 1 apple a day had
a 20% lower risk of colorectal cancer, and an 18% less risk of breast cancer.
But before you get excited and go on an apple splurge at the grocery store, you must remember
that further research is required!
Still not convinced that apples are the way to go?
Well don’t you worry because we’ve got plenty of other great points you’ll want
to hear.
Before we continue, have you been concerned with the overall state of your health?
Perhaps you should check out our video discussing 7 Foods That Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
Do you have kids?
Are you searching for better ways to detect health issues in your little ones?
Click on our clip discussing Health Symptoms In Children That Indicate Serious Disease.
Now let’s continue with our discussion about why you should eat an apple a day….
Apples Fight Heart Disease
For every 25 grams of apple you consume, you are 9% less likely to suffer a stroke.
Is there a simpler way to put that?
Apples can be great for your heart.
When I mentioned the triterpenoids located in the peel a second ago, I didn’t mention
the other polyphenols that exist within it.
One of these is a flavonoid known as epicatechin.
While triterpenoids maintain proper blood sugar, epicatechin lowers your blood pressure.
Flavonoids such as these are linked to a 20% lower risk of stroke.
One study done in 2013 put apples up against cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins.
By the end, it was found that apples had a more potent effect against heart disease than
the statins.
This just gets better and better, doesn’t it?
Well don’t run to the grocery store just yet.
Apples Keep Your Gut Healthy
Everybody wants a healthy gut.
After all, it is essential to our wellbeing.
And what better way to help cleanse it of unwanted bacteria, then to eat an apple.
Ever heard of microbiome?
Well your microbiome is comprised of different kinds of bacteria that help control your guts
digestion.
The amount of good and bad bacteria needs to be balanced in order for your body to remain
healthy and function properly.
If there’s an imbalance, you may experience high blood pressure, weight gain, high cholesterol
and many other health issues.
So how do we maintain a healthy balance?
Apples contain a fiber known as pectin.
This serves as a type of fuel for your healthy gut bacteria, growing inside your colon and
transforming into healthy compounds.
This is all the more reason to munch on an apple once a day.
Now that we’ve got the gut taken care of, let’s move on to the lungs, shall we?
Apples Battle Asthma
Not only are 25 million Americans suffering from asthma, 8.4% of the country’s children
currently have it.
It sounds a bit far-fetched, but if you’re one of those people, an apple may be your
answer to breathing a tad easier.
The antioxidants in apples defend your lungs from harmful particles.
The flavonoid quercetin helps to reduce inflammation and cleanse the immune system, making it easier
for your lungs to function.
I bet you didn’t know that eating less than a quarter of an apple each day can decrease
the severity of asthma by 10%.
There is also good news for pregnant women.
Research shows that the kids of women who eat apples on a routine basis during pregnancy
show fewer signs of asthma before the age of 5.
It’s so ironic that apples fight asthma, because the amount of benefits this fruit
carries is leaving me breathless…
Alright, bad joke.
I’ll forget about it if you do.
Let’s just move on...
Apples Help Your Brain Function
That’s right!
If you want better cognitive function, apparently apples hold the answer.
Let’s discuss apple juice for a minute.
We’ve all had it at a certain point in our lives.
In a study on mice, those that drank apple juice exhibited minimized mental decline and
produced more oxygen in their brain.
Apple juice also helps to preserve the brain’s neurotransmitters like acetylcholine.
This chemical works to send signals to other cells in your body.
When your level of acetylcholine is low, you can become vulnerable to diseases such as
Alzheimer’s.
To add to the good news, the quercetin located in apples will protect your brain cells from
folding under oxidative stress and succumbing to free radicals.
Now that’s what I call food for thought.
Are you an “apple a day” type of person?
Would you consider being one after watching this video?
Let us know in the comments below.
We would love to hear from you.