On December 1st, National Eat a Red Apple Day encourages everyone to eat a red apple. As the adage goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and today is a perfect time to put that theory to taste.
1. High in fiber
Let’s start with what everyone knows about apples. Apples are high in fiber because of all the pectin they contain, which is a soluble fiber that helps with elimination. In order to get the most bang for your buck, consume the peel, but that means you might want to go organic to avoid any pesticides and other chemicals. Makes sure and wash well whenever you are consuming the peel of produce.
High-fiber diets have been found helpful in preventing colon cancer and other digestive issues like constipation.
2. High in Antioxidants
Most people credit berries with being the fruit of choice when it comes to getting antioxidants but apples are actually very high in antioxidants and phytochemicals. These have been shown to help reduce the incidents of cancer and chronic diseases.
A common antioxidant that apples are high in is vitamin C – an apple supplies 14 percent of your recommended daily intake of this important vitamin. Vitamin C is necessary for a healthy immune system, eyes, skin, and brain.
3. An aid in digestion
The pectin can also help you keep things moving. Apples are perfect to help relieve constipation. Besides eating them raw in-hand, you can receive the same benefits when you add them to a smoothie or even juice them. Just be sure you are consuming fresh juice and not any from the store with added sugar. Dried apples, when they don’t have added sugar, may hold the same benefits.
4. Good to fight brain disease
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, you might think about the apple a day adage. Apples have been shown to help your brain stay in peak form. They may reduce oxidative stress in the brain, as well as, help fight free radicals with their antioxidants.
5. Heart healthy
Eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies can keep your heart healthy. Apples play a big role in this as well. The pectin helps reduce inflammation, which in turn keeps your heart from being inflamed.
It may also help reduce your bad cholesterol levels as well as keep lipids liquid and moving through your system. This, in turn, also puts less stress on your gallbladder, thus helping to prevent gallstones.
