Does an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away is a common phrased uttered by medical and fitness experts. This phrase is not just about eating an apple; it is about consistent healthy eating habits.

Most Lifestyle choices are not harmful when done inconsistently daily choices we make become a habit or lifestyle with long-lasting health consequences.  Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables helps in boosting our immune system and fighting infections.

Apples are nutritionally dense fruits and low in calorie; This makes it a healthy option for various diet and fitness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns About Apple

  1. Is the peel harmful? Apple peel is very nutritious because of their high anti-oxidants contents. Majority of the beneficial nutrients are derived from the apple peel.
  2. Pesticide effect: There is a lot of concern about residual pesticides on apple peels. Research carried on  Apples reveals that there are few traces of pesticides on Apple peels after production, So it is safe to enjoy the anti-oxidants benefits of Apple Peel
  3. |Effect on Diabetes: It is safe for type 2 diabetes patients to eat an apple in moderation without compromising their health status (American Diabetes Association).

 

Health Benefits of an Apple a Day

Apple is one of the most beneficial fruits known to mankind, Before eating an apple per day; You need to understand the nutritional components of apples.

Apples are rich in vitamin complex, phytonutrients’, calcium, phosphorus, and Quercetins.

Why You Should Eat Apple in Moderation

Apple seeds could become a deadly poisoning due to its increased cyanide content. Apple seeds are not healthy for consumption, they do more harm than good/. There is increased Acidic content in apple makes its dangerous to our dental architecture.

Eating an apple a day is not just about how many you eat, but also about how you eat them. Eating one apple for a prolonged period of time could cause discoloration of your teeth. Eating an apple during your meal time would prevent discoloration of the teeth.

Top Health Benefits of an Apple A Day

  1. Neurological Benefits: Apple contains a lot of acetylcholine and quercetin that acts as anti-inflammatory these compounds also help in preventing cellular and brain death. Enhancement of memory and prevention of Alzheimer,s Disease is one of the most vital benefits of apple.
  2. Weight loss: Apples are good for weight loss due to their reduced calories and increased filling capacity. Apple makes you feel full easily and prevents you from overeating and overindulging on snacks.
  3. Cardiovascular benefits: Epicatechin is a flavanol present in apple; this compound helps in reducing blood pressure and low-density lipoproteins in the Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are bad cholesterols responsible for stroke and heart attack. Reduction of this LDL reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. It has been discovered through research that, for every 25 g of apple consumes, there is a 9% decrease in stroke incidence. Apple contains a lot of fibers that reduces low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol.
  4. Reduced Diabetes Type 2:  Type 2 diabetes is due to pancreatic beta cells damage, eating an apple a day can help in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
  5. Digestion: Apples can act as great probiotics and assists in digestion. The fiber contents of Apple make it a great solution to various gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, bloating and malabsorption.  Eating an apple a day can eliminate that belly fat or food baby you desperately want to lose.
  6. Healthy teeth: Eating an Apple a day helps to keep your teeth healthy, Consistent chewing of apple stimulates saliva production. The saliva produced by our moth whitens our teeth and prevent the growth of dental caries and bacteria overgrowth. Eating apples could help you get those glowing teeth without sacrificing your favorite fruits

Benefits of an Apple for Skin

Apples contain a lot of vitamins esb1, b2,b6, and c. These vitamins help in the Maintainance of the skin complexion, and prevention of various dermatological conditions such as acne and eczema.  Apples speed up the formation of skin ceases and prevent skin irritations.

What Kind of Apple is Best for You?

Irrespective of the types of Apples you decide to buy in a market or supermarket, All apples have a lot of unique and beneficial features in common. All apples apply are nutritionally dressed, low in calories, and filled with many phytonutrients and vitamins to benefit your body.

Apart from brand names, there are some specific criteria for deciding a good apple. Some of the most important criteria include:

  1. Skin Thickness: Apple skin contains a lot of phytonutrients and vitamins that boost our immune system and helps us fight infection. The Thickness of the |Apple skin is directly proportional to the quantity of phytonutrients. Aim for the Apples with the thickest peel when shopping.
  2. Source: When it comes to the source of the apples, Natural Apples are healthier than Synthetic Apples. There is a saying if you want to live longer Go natural. The Fertilizers used in cultivating some Apples could cause nutrient Dysbalance in the apples.
  3. Color: The redness of Red apples is due to the presence of a compound called Anthocyanin; These compounds are deficient in green Apples. Anthocyanins are polyphenol’s that boosts the immune system and prevent various types of cardiovascular diseases. The redder the better when it comes selecting healthy Apples by color
  4. Appearance And Storage: Buy fresh apples without discoloration or bruises. The bruises and Discolourations found in apples could be an indication of the quality of the apple. It has been discovered that refrigerated apples retain most of their nutrients and vitamins when compared to apples stored at Room temperature. How you store your apples also determines how much benefits you get from them.

Eating an Apple a day consistently for a month is enough to reduce your cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein by 44%. These compounds are the leading cause of various endocrinological and cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, heart attack, and stroke. Eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Consult your doctor, if you experience anything unusual after eating an apple.

 

References

EatingWell. (2017). 5 Health Benefits of an Apple. [online] Available at: http://www.eatingwell.com/article/17769/5-health-benefits-of-an-apple/ [Accessed 23 Dec. 2017].

Klein, S. (2017). 8 Big Health Benefits Of Apples. [online] HuffPost UK. Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/health-benefits-apples_n_1855590.html [Accessed 23 Dec. 2017].

Medical News Today. (2017). Apples: Health benefits, facts, research. [online] Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267290.php [Accessed 23 Dec. 2017].

Medical News Today. (2017). Apples: Health benefits, facts, research. [online] Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267290.php [Accessed 23 Dec. 2017].