Is There Any Truth To "An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away?"
It has been passed down from generation to generation. Where did they receive this great knowledge that modern medicine is now finding to be very accurate? The health benefits found in this fruit makes it one of the best to eat on a daily basis.
There are a number of varieties of this delicious fruit, ranging from green to dark red, very tart to very sweet. The one that you choose as your favorite depends on your taste buds and how you plan to put them in your diet.
They are harvested mid-fall but are available year around in the stores. They make a perfect snack and can also be used in many great recipes. There is nothing better than coming home to the smell of fresh baked homemade pie!
Vitamins and Nutrients Found In This Fruit
What Are The Benefits Of These Vitamins and Minerals?
A medium-sized apple (about 6 ounces) will have more than 3 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber that equals more than 10% of the daily requirement of fiber that is recommended by nutritionists.
The soluble and insoluble fibers help reduce the LDL cholesterol, resulting in a reduced risk of stroke, hardening of the arteries, and the risk of heart attack. The two fibers also help with bowel regularity, which in turn helps in the prevention of colon cancer and diverticulosis.
The fiber will attach to the bad cholesterol and remove it from your digestive system. Eating one large apple reduces your cholesterol by as much as 10%; having a second one boosts that reduction to more than 15%.
The pectin found in the peel also helps to eliminate toxins and heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, from your body.
Scientific and medical studies have shown that people who had a high intake of flavonoids in their diet have a 20% reduction in the risk of heart disease. Other foods high in flavonoids are onions, tea, and broccoli. Apples, however, contributed to the highest reduction in heart disease.
Most of the sweet taste comes from fructose, a simple sugar that breaks down slowly and will help stabalize blood sugar levels.
Studies show that eating the fruit whole is healthier than drinking the juice. Processing the fruit into juice tends to reduce some of the benefits of polyphenolic phytonutrient concentrations.
How to Buy and Store
They should be uniform in color, firm with no bruised or soft spots. Red and Yellow Delicious are the sweetest, while Granny Smith, Gravenstien, Pippin, Braeburn and Figi are the most tart.
Tips For Preparing:
Wash and eat...how simple is that?
A Few Quick Serving Ideas:
However you choose to enjoy them, eat an apple every day for a healthier life!
This article is dedicated to Viviann Carmichael, who was the last surviving spouse of the Spanish American war. Viviann was 101 years old when she passed. Her secret to a long life? No other than, "an apple a day." I was honored as a small boy to have her fresh baked homemade apple pie delivered to our home on a regular basis.
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