Apples are one of the more popular fruits to enjoy. They're a nice change from oranges and bananas, but there's more to apples than just their crunchy sweetness. Apples are an excellent source of fiber and other nutrients that can help regulate blood sugar levels, promote heart health and even reduce inflammation.
Apple A Day: How This Classic Fruit Boosts Health
Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and quercetin. Apples contain antioxidants that help protect against oxidative stress. Antioxidants may also be associated with improved heart health by reducing inflammation in the arteries and lowering blood pressure.
Apples can help lower your risk for stroke by protecting against blood clots that form on the walls of arteries (atherosclerosis). In addition to being high in fiber and vitamin C--both known to protect against atherosclerosis--apples contain phytochemicals called phenolic acids which may also contribute to this benefit by inhibiting oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad) particles inside blood vessels."
Benefits of Apples
Apples are a good source of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and boost your mood. Apples also contain antioxidants that may help protect you from heart disease and cancer. They contain quercetin, a flavonoid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies. Apples contain vitamin C, which keeps gums healthy by preventing cavities and tooth decay, as well as potassium (an electrolyte) that helps regulate blood pressure levels so they don't get too high or too low.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. It also helps the body absorb iron, which is a critical nutrient for red blood cell formation and energy production. Vitamin C is also important for healthy skin and bones because it helps form collagen, a protein found in connective tissue that gives structure to organs such as muscle, bone, and skin.
In addition to eating more apples, you can get more vitamin C by eating citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruits; green peppers; broccoli; tomatoes; cantaloupe melon
Fiber
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant foods. Fiber helps to add bulk to the stool, which makes it easier to pass through your digestive tract. This can also help you feel full faster, which may lead you to eat less overall.
Fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, promote weight loss or maintenance (when combined with exercise), reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and regulate bowel movements in people who struggle with constipation or irregularity due to medications such as opioids (like morphine).
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance in the body. It's also essential for muscle function, heart health, and nerve function. Potassium can be found in many foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean meats. Adults should consume 4,700 mg of potassium daily (this amount is higher than what's recommended by the FDA).
Potassium-rich foods such as apples have been shown to reduce blood pressure when eaten regularly over time by lowering sodium levels in your blood. In addition to being high in potassium content, these tasty treats also contain quercetin which has antioxidant properties that may help protect against damage caused by free radicals--the culprit behind aging skin cells or certain cancers (1).
A 2,000-calorie diet includes 51 grams of protein per day along with 25 grams of fiber from whole grains such as oats which makes an apple a great snack choice if you want something sweet but still healthy!
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid that can help fight inflammation. It's found in the skin, pulp, and seeds of apples.
Quercetin may help with allergies and asthma symptoms. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that quercetin might reduce histamine levels and prevent mast cell degranulation--a process by which certain cells release chemicals involved in allergic reactions.
Quercetin can also help with respiratory problems such as bronchitis or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Studies show that people who eat apples regularly have less risk of developing these diseases compared to those who don't eat them at all or very rarely do so
Fiber, Antioxidants, and More!
Apples are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals. Fiber helps you feel full longer by slowing down the digestion process so your body can absorb nutrients better. Antioxidants fight free radicals that can damage cells in your body (and cause aging). Apples also contain more vitamins and minerals than other fruits!
Apples are great additions to any diet because they help you stay hydrated; they're delicious raw or cooked; they're portable; they come in a variety of colors--so pretty!
The benefits of apples go well beyond the crunchy snack.
Apples are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. They're also rich in quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Apples have been shown to help you lose weight by reducing your appetite and boosting metabolism, according to Live Science. In addition to these benefits, they can boost your immune system by keeping cold viruses at bay during winter months (and throughout the year!).
Apples contain vitamin A and vitamin K--both important for healthy skin and bones--as well as potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure levels that can be affected by sodium intake from processed foods like chips or pretzels (which are often high in sodium).
Conclusion
If you're looking for a healthy snack and want to boost your health, apples are the way to go. Their benefits are numerous and they can help fight off many diseases, including cancer.
