Apples are the fruit of the land, you can ferment them, dehydrate them, mash them, can them, saute them, bake them, juice them. There's apple sauce, apple crisp, apple pie, cinnamon apples, apples with peanut butter, carmel apples, apple fritters, apple cider, apple juice, apple dumplings, apple strudel, apple turnover, apple butter, even apple cider vinegar.Whew!
There are so many different varieties of apples, too. Some better than others depending on what we plan to make with them. I remember as a child eating Gravenstein apples right off the tree in my grandma's orchard, which were ideal for homemade applesauce. They don't grow in my area, so Granny Smiths have become my favorite now, which kinda have a similar crispness and tangy, sweet flavor. I literally eat one or two apples every single day.
We've all heard the old saying,
An apple a day, keeps the doctor away,but have we ever wondered why? Well, it's been scientifically proven that apples have an abundance of health benefits and can play a significant role in lowering our risk of chronic disease. Apples are not only an excellent source of high fiber, they are jam-packed with antioxidants, too. Their unique blend of vitimins, minerals, nutrients and compounds have been shown to help with numerous health conditions.
Studies reveal that eating apples can decrease the risk of developing type-2 diabetes and heart disease. In particular, the polyphenols in apples - a natural occurring antioxidant - are associated with this protection. As well, these polyphenols can assist with weight management.
Quercetin, which became extremely popular to take in pill form during 2020 for its medicinal benefits, is also found in apples. Quercetin's antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, fight against stress damage, cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's, dementia and cardiovascular issues.
Apples are a flavanoid-rich food. Studies have shown that eating two apples a day can reduce bad cholesterol and increase blood vessel dialation, which helps prevent the risk of heart disease. Similar to quercetin, flavanoids have anti-cancer, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Flavanoids can lower blood pressure, support brain function and decrease the risk of chronic illness.
Eating different varieties of apples regularly promotes actinobacteria - a major component of the microbiota - which aids digestion and is essential for a healthy gut. Beneficial gut bacteria is crucial for hormonal, immunologic (immune system) and metobolic (metabolism) homeostasis of the body. Apples also improve oral hygiene, reducing bad breath and bacteria in our mouths, which in turn keeps our gums and teeth healthier and our buns out of the dentist chair.
I've only scratched the surface when it comes to the many health benefits of eating apples. They also have phlorizin that helps improve bone density, fisetin that protects against memory loss, and research has shown that eating apples regularly can help increase lung function and lower the risk of asthma attacks. Their antioxidant effects against free radicals is truly astounding. Free radicals occur for many reasons, such as stress, inflammation, radiation and exposure to air pollution and chemicals.
But we can help counter all that, by simply enjoying an apple a day! 🍏
Nature is pretty dang amazing, isn't it?