Health Benefits of Apples

The varieties of health benefits that are supplied by apples are extensive and encouraging. The health benefits of apples can be quite beneficial to your overall health. By making some wise choices when you buy and store apples will help retain those health benefits. This handy snack that does not need much preparation is filled with health boosting qualities. They are low in calories, an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, rich with other antioxidant compounds such as epicatechin, quercetin, and procyanidin B2.

The pectin that is contained in apples lowers your LDL cholesterol levels. If you eat two apples during the course of a day, you can lower your cholesterol level by as much as ten percent. Pectin will bind the cholesterol and fats before your body has a chance to absorb them and therefore are eliminated by way of the intestines. Polyphenols, which are extracted from the apple, can greatly lower cholesterol. Quercetin that is found in apples will help to prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The pectin also supplies galacturonic acid which will lower the body's need for insulin and possibly help manage diabetes. A study made five years ago found women who ate at least one apple a day to be about 28 percent less likely in developing type 2 diabetes. Apples are also an excellent gastro-intestinal food so you will not have a sugar high and then come crashing down.  

Apples contain flavonoids which will prevent oxygen molecules from causing damage to individual cells. This prevents cell changes that could possibly lead to some cancers. The high amount of flavonoids that apples contain and the more that are eaten can lower by up to fifty percent ones chances of getting lung cancer. There have been studies that have been done on rats that have been fed apples and it was found there was a seventeen percent reduction of breast cancer possibilities. A reduction in the risk of colon cancer has been attributed to the pectin that is found in apples. The flavonoids also prevent inflammation, lower the risk of too many blood platelets from massing together, and they help to regulate blood pressure. These blood issues are generally associated with heart ailments, stroke, and arteriosclerosis.

The natural acidic assets of apples will help keep your teeth clean and your breath smelling cleaner. When apples are eaten, the fiber they contain cleanses the teeth, and at the same time the antiviral properties of this fruit will help keep viruses and bacteria at bay. Chewing an apple will also stimulate the production of saliva, which will help to reduce tooth decay by the lowering of bacteria. Apples contain phloridzin, which will increase bone density and helps to protect women who are post-menopausal from osteoporosis. They also contain boron which will strengthen the bones. They are rich in fiber which helps digestion and the skin of the apple is the most important roughage on the apple.

Apples are a low calorie food and have a high water content which allows you have a better sense of fullness even though you are eating fewer calories.  There has been a study that found that women who consumed three apples each day lost more weight during dieting than those who did not eat any fruit while dieting. Apple polyphenols also have the ability to regulate body fat metabolism. A new study that has been done on mice has found that drinking apple juice can possibly keep away Alzheimer's disease and fight the aging effects on the brain. The quercetin found in apples may also protect the brain cells from free radical damage that could lead to Alzheimer's disease.

If your garden or backyard is large enough to handle fruit trees, the apple would be an excellent choice. You need to plant two or more varieties of apple that bloom during the same time. The reason for this is pollination; the bees do a wonderful job of pollinating our apple trees. Apples do not care what type of apple is used for pollinating as long they can produce a good crop for your family to enjoy and store.

When you buy apples first decide if they are going to be eaten fresh or are going to be used for cooking? Extra fancy grades of apple are best for eating, while other grades will work well for cooking. Apples have a variety of textures and flavors and you need to choose those that are firm and do not have any bruises. The best apples will always have a good even color. They should be handled with care as one bruised apple can spoil the entire bunch. Apples are best if they are stored in the crisper of the refrigerator; they will soften much too fast at room temperature. Apples make an easy, nutritious snack. To get the health benefits from apples, they need to be part of a daily healthy diet.