Health & Medical Nutrition

Apples: Better Than You Think

Apples are an amazing food. They are low in calories and very high in nutrition and fiber. Apples should be eaten from 4-6 times per week. Apples contain flavonoids. The flavonoid which they are highest in is named quercetin. Quercetin is a very potent antioxidant. Most of the active chemicals and fiber are contained in the skin, so use a reliable fruit and vegetable wash to clean them so that you can feel comfortable eating the skin as well. You can also opt for organic apples which will not have any pesticide residue on the apple, and simple water washing at the sink will do.

Apples contain about five grams of fiber. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in liquid and forms a gel which traps substances like bile acids which contain a high amount of cholesterol and can help to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries by keeping the arterial walls clean. This occurs because as the cholesterol rich bile acids are flushed out with the soluble fiber, the liver has to use more cholesterol to manufacture more bile acids for digestion. This means that less total cholesterol is available to circulate in the bloodstream. This is how soluble fiber keeps the arteries cleaner than they otherwise would be. Insoluble fiber is the type that is good for your digestive tract and intestines because it acts like a scrub brush in keeping the intestinal walls clean. It is also beneficial by adding bulk to the digestive process and thus helping to move food through the digestive tract more easily.

Apples help to fight high blood pressure because they contain potassium and other minerals which have been proven to be beneficial in relaxing the arterial muscles, thus resulting in lower pressure within. Potassium also helps to flush out excess dietary sodium. Too much sodium is a proven factor in raised blood pressure. Another way that apples reduce blood pressure is with the quercetin, which also has been shown to lower blood pressure.

Apples are beneficial to the lungs because they fight asthma attacks and allergies by creating an antihistamine effect. Histamine is created by the body in reaction to allergic or other inflammatory factors, and this is what causes the unpleasant symptoms that we associate with allergies. Apples contain antioxidants and nutrients that are good for the brain by protecting against the damaging effects of free radicals. The antioxidants in apples help to fight the mutations which cause cancer. Mutations can be caused by free radical damage to DNA during replication. The fiber in apples can help you lose weight by enhancing the full feeling due to their fiber bulk, as well as evening out blood sugar since that is another beneficial effect of soluble and insoluble fiber. The sweetness in the apple satisfies your sweet tooth and the crunchy texture satisfies the need to bit into something crispy. They are naturally low in calories, so you get a food that has a very high satisfaction and nutrition to caloric load ratio. Finally, the vitamin C in apples helps to fight colds and viral infections.

I sincerely hope that all of this information gives you ample reason to include apples in your daily diet. They are truly a valuable addition to your dietary regimen and should not be overlooked. Just adding one apple before a meal can prevent you from overeating by adding a healthy fullness that may not be present if your main meal lacks the fiber that it should already have. Apples are inexpensive and easy to carry and store. They can accompany you to work and refrigerated they can last for several weeks, of not longer. Have that apple a day and prove to yourself that it can keep your doctor at bay.

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