With so many variants of apples available during the year, it is difficult to think of apples having a particular season. However, several of our favourite kinds of apples are in season this Winter: Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji and more are top of our list. It is also easy to forget just how simply good apples are for you. They may not be the most ‘glamourous’ fruit in the bowl but they are a powerhouse of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Here are our top 8 reasons to remind why eating an apple a day can keep the doctor away:
- Eating apples stimulates saliva in your mouth which helps to lower levels of tooth decay.
- Recent scientific tests showed that including apples in your diet can help to elevate brain power and thus help to reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
- Apples help to prevent many types of Cancers: Scientists from the American Association for Cancer Research, among others, agree that the consumption of flavonol-rich apples could help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 23 per cent. Researchers at Cornell University have identified several compounds – triterpenoids – in apple peel that have potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon and breast. Their earlier research found that extracts from whole apples can reduce the number and size of mammary tumours in rats. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. has recommended a high fibre intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Apples are loaded with soluble fibre which helps to control blood sugar and thus will help to prevent the onset of type 2 Diabetes if eaten within a balanced, low-GI diet.
- The soluble fibre found in apples binds with fats in the intestine, which translates into lower cholesterol levels and a healthier you. Lower cholesterol in turn means less risk of heart disease as your arteries are protected against build up of fats.
- We’re constantly consuming toxins, whether it is from drinks or food, and your liver is responsible for clearing these toxins out of your body. One of the best, and easiest, things that you can eat to help detoxify your liver is fruits – like apples.
- Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, particularly when your body/mind is experiencing stress.
- Diets rich in foods that contain anti-oxidents are said to decrease your chance of getting cataracts in your eyes quite substantially.
Apples can be enjoyed as a simple on-the-go snack or incorporated into both sweet and savoury dishes across all times of the day: breakfast, tea, lunch or dinner. They pair well with pork from a savoury perspective, or cinnamon from a sweet perspective.
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