An old wives tale tells us that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. What if I told you that there is some truth to that? Human beings have been eating apples since approximately 6500 BC. The trees originate from Kazakhstan. For thousands of years, we have benefited from the vast array of vitamins, minerals, and phyto-nutrients that apples have to offer.
Apples are an excellent source of fiber, called pectin, and when consumed on a regular basis, this fiber will do amazing things for our health. An average apple contains 5.4 grams of fiber. That’s 21% of the daily recommended fiber intake. Two-thirds of that fiber is found in the peel. Diets high in fiber have been known to decrease cholesterol. In the intestine, pectin binds with the fat in food and prevents the LDL or “bad” cholesterol from absorbing into our bloodstream. The soluble fiber found in apples reduces swings in our blood sugar, therefor reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. The National Cancer Institute recommends a high fiber diet to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Quercetin is an antioxidant that is abundant in apples. It has been shown to improve brain function and boost the immune system. It is also beneficial for people suffering seasonal allergies. Antioxidants are disease fighting compounds. Another antioxidant in apples is phlorizin. It stimulates bile flow. In this toxic world that we live in, the air that we breathe and the water we drink can be polluted, so it’s important to give our liver a chance to clean itself out. The liver eliminates toxins into the bile, so a healthy bile flow can mean a less toxic, healthy liver. In an apple measuring three inches in diameter, there are 10.3mg of vitamin C, another antioxidant, proven to boost our immune system.
You should eat a variety of apples to ensure the full array of nutrients. Organic is best, as conventionally grown apples have been known to carry a significant amount of pesticide residue. After washing your apple in a little cold water, be sure to eat your apple with the peel.
Over two-thousand years ago, Hippocrates said “all disease begins in the gut.” Eating plenty of apples will help to keep your “gut” clean and healthy.