As the saying goes – ‘an apple a day keeps the Dr away’! Well, there is more and more scientific evidence to support the idea that by eating apples it keeps you from having to see your Dr. and protects you from developing chronic health problems such as heart disease, asthma and some forms of cancer.
Apples contain lots of good nutrition such as Fibre, vitamin C, some B vitamins, and a unique combination of apple phytochemicals. The important ones are the flavonoids which are most commonly known for their antioxidant activity. There has been more interest in them recently for their possible role in the prevention of cancers and cardiovascular disease. They can enhance the power of Vitamin C, protect blood vessels from rupture, protect your cells from oxygen damage and prevent excessive inflammation in your body.
One of the flavonoids, only found in apples, called phloridzin, has been found by French researchers to help protect menopausal women from osteoporosis and to improve bone density. Apples also contain Boron which helps to strengthen bones.
Another flavonoid, quercetin, may protect brain cells from the free radical damage that leads to alzheimer’s, and pectin lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. Pectin also supplies galacuronic acid to the body which lowers its need for insulin and therefore may help in the management of diabetes.
The amount of fibre in an apple is equivalent to a serving of bran cereal, and it helps to prevent the absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. Dietary fibre also binds to toxic chemicals in the gut to protect the mucous membranes of the colon and prevents constipation.
Vitamin C is very important for your health, it helps to maintain healthy connective tissue, acts as an anti oxidant against free radicals, and helps with the absorption of iron from your diet. It resists bacterial and viral diseases, controls blood cholesterol levels and is important for normal brain and nerve function and in tooth and bone formation.
B vitamins are water soluble and needed for the production and repair of body tissues and maintaining healthy mucous surfaces such as your skin and digestive organs. They are essential for proper utilisation of the brain and nerves, are nature’s own anti depressants and are important coenzymes in the conversion of may body processes.
So another alkaline food, with great health benefits.