Health Benefits of Apples

November 21, 2015

Apples are one of the healthiest foods a person can eat. They are high in fiber and vitamin C, and they are also low in calories, have only a trace of sodium, and no fat or cholesterol. As one of the most cultivated and consumed fruits in the world, apples are continuously being praised as a "miracle food".

Get a healthier heart

An extensive body of research has linked high soluble fibre intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in your arteries. The phenolic compound found in apple skins also prevents the cholesterol that gets into your system from solidifying on your artery walls. When plaque builds inside your arteries, it reduces blood flow to your heart, leading to coronary artery disease.

Decrease your risk of diabetes

Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t eat apples. Apples are loaded with soluble fibre, the key to blunting blood sugar swings.

Apples for whiter and healthier teeth

Eating and chewing an apple stimulates secretion of saliva in the oral cavity, which in return washes away bacteria and reduces risk of creating cavities. Presence of calcium additionally increases the positive effect of apples on your teeth.

Control your weight

Many health problems are associated with being overweight, among them heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. To manage your weight and improve your overall health, doctors recommend a diet rich in fibre. Foods high in fibre will fill you up without costing you too many calories.

Improving neurological health

Apples are good for neurological health. The fruit contains an antioxidant called "quercetin" which reduces cellular death caused by oxidation and inflammation of neurons, according to research conducted by G. Bureau and M. Martinoli at the University of Quebec.

Apples strengthen the immune system

Your immune system will be grateful if you include apples in your diet regularly. They are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which fight free radicals in the body, thereby protect the body from many diseases.

Prevent gallstones

Gallstones form when there’s too much cholesterol in your bile for it to remain as a liquid, so it solidifies. They are particularly prevalent in the obese. To prevent gallstones, doctors recommend a diet high in fibre to help you control your weight and cholesterol levels.