Health Benefits of Apples
If you want to enhance your health consuming nutritious foods, one of the best options for it is apples. There are many reasons why opting for apples can be right you. Firstly, as it is easy to consume and requires very little in terms of preparation before-hand, you can have the fruit no matter where you are – at the gym, in a cab, or at home. Secondly, the fruit is versatile as it allows you to eat it in different forms – as a fruit, juice or extract. You can even include it in salads, pies and tarts. Thirdly, the fruit is high in nutritional content and offers various health benefits. Here are some of them:
Reduces Cancer Risk
Studies indicate that apples can reduce the risk of a few cancers like those of the epithelium and lung. This can be an effect of the high flavinoid content in apples. As the skin of the fruit is rich in flavinoids, it is important to consume this too. The apple skin has a high amount of anti-oxidants too, which play a crucial role in fighting cancer. As a result of this, the cancer cells are unable to grow, spread or survive in the body. Apples can have a curing effect even on prostate and breast cancer.
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Drinking a glass of apple juice a day can help delay the processes that can cause heart disease. This is enabled by a compound in apples called phytonutrients, which serves to slow the breakdown of low density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol. On oxidation, LDL can form plaques that thicken on the arterial walls causing atherosclerosis. If you consume apple juice consistently for a few days, you can see the positive results of it in a short period.
Facilitates Weight Loss
Apples can also play a vital role in facilitating weight loss. This is especially so if consumed a few minutes before a meal. As apples have a high fiber and water content, they serve to make you feel full prior to having your meal. This means that the amount of food you consume will be less than what it would be if you wouldn’t have eaten an apple. When your meal size reduces, your calorie intake too reduces, thereby facilitating weight loss. Research indicates that when you eat three apples a day and reduce your calorie intake, the resultant weight loss can be up to 3 pounds, over 12 weeks.
Prevents Alzheimer\’s Disease
You can prevent Alzheimer\’s disease by integrating apples into your daily food intake. Apples contain antioxidants that can protect your neurons from damage that can cause the age-related disease. Studies indicate that when you consume two glasses of apple juice a day, the production of beta-amyloid, which creates plaques that can result in loss of cognitive functions and memory – signs commonly associated with Alzheimer\’s disease, is reduced.
Most research indicates that the benefits offered by apples are sometimes higher when consumed in fruit form than as juice.
Author Bio: Sally Grey specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about healthy-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out on Boomers Forever.
Category: Food and Drinks
Keywords: health benefits apples.health,benefits.apples