Health Benefits Of Apples
It is a well known fact that apples are very good for your health. However you may not be aware of just how good they actually are! Let us go through some of the main health benefits of apples. You are sure going to eat a lot of apples once you have read through them!
Some great health benefits of apples:
1. You will have healthier and whiter teeth – if you make it a point to eat an apple a day, you will notice a substantial improvement in the color of your teeth. This is especially recommended if you have yellowish teeth. By biting an apple and chewing it, you will be producing more saliva. This helps to wash away germs and bacteria from your teeth, thus reducing tooth decay.
2. A great source of fibre – apples are a great source of fibre. Thus they are ideal for people who suffer from diarrhoea or constipation. This is because fibre can pull water out of your colon so as to help the food you eat move along in case you are constipated. Alternatively, in case of diarrhoea, fibre can absorb excess water from your stools so as to slow down your bowels. Thus apples are also great if you suffer from an irritable bowel syndrome. They will give you a good intake of fibre, which is very helpful for your body.
3. Boosting your immune system – quercentin is an antioxidant that helps to boost your immune system. This antioxidant is found in apples, especially red apples. So if you want to fortify your immune system, make sure to eat plenty of red apples.
4. Control your weight – since apples are high in fibre they will fill you up and so you are less likely to eat anything for a while after munching an apple or two. By controlling your weight you will be less prone to problems such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
5. Liver detoxification – most fruits, including apples, are a great way to detoxify your liver.
Health benefits of apples that can help prevent certain diseases and conditions:
1. Preventing cataracts – according to studies, people who have a diet rich in fruits that are high in antioxidants will be much less likely to develop cataracts. As stated above apples are rich in antioxidants.
2. Alleviate haemorrhoids – haemorrhoids can be very painful, and people who suffer from constipation end up with this problem generally. If you consume apples regularly you will be supplying your body with more fibre. This will help to reduce constipation problems and thus avert haemorrhoids.
3. Prevent gallstones – a diet that is high in fibre is recommended for people who are obese, and who are more likely to have gallstones. Apples are a great source of fibre and they can help you keep your weight under control. The high fibre will also help in your cholesterol level, which is directly related to the development of gallstones.
4. Lower cholesterol – apples contain soluble fibre. This binds fats in the intestine, which in turn results in lower cholesterol levels.
5. A healthier heart – high soluble fibre means that there will be a slower buildup of cholesterol, especially in your arteries. The apple’s skin contains phenolic compound. This greatly helps in preventing the cholesterol from solidifying on the walls of your arteries. Thus there will be a better blood flow to your heart, and this in turn leads to less heart related problems, including coronary heart disease.
6. Lower probability of developing Parkinson’s – antioxidants also help to fight Parkinson’s disease. People who consume fruits such as apples, which are high in fibre and antioxidants, will be less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
7. Protection from different types of cancer – consuming flavonol-rich apples can greatly help in reducing the emergence of different types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. According to the results of recent studies, the Triterpenoids that are present in the apple peel, help to prevent the growth of cancer cells in the colon, liver and breast.
8. Lower the risk of diabetes – according to research, people who eat an apple a day were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not eat any apples. This makes perfect sense as apples are rich in soluble fibre and thus help to reduce blood sugar swings.
When considering all of these benefits, it is naturally a great idea to opt for an apple instead of a sugary cereal bar or other fatty snacks. Apples are not only delicious but also very healthy too!
