An Apple a day, keeps the doctors away. We've probably heard this phrase for a long time and a lot time by now. But what really are the health benefits of apples.
Health Benefits of Apples First up, what really is an apple.
Apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica. It is one of the most popular, healthy and widely cultivated tree fruits. It is one of the most recognizable fruit and is well loved.
Apples or eating it can help in lowering cholesterol, aiding digestion and detoxifying the body.
Apples are abundant in Quercetin, a flavonoid, which helps prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Apples are said to help in slowing down ageing-related problems, avoiding wrinkles and promoting hair growth.
Apples have been found to have a positive result on those suffering from risk of stroke, Type II diabetes and asthma.
Apples, because of the presence of flavonoids, inhibit the growth of carcinogenic substances in the bladder and thus, diminish the risk of bladder cancer, especially in smokers.
Eating apples has been long associated with improvement of the lung function.
Researches have suggested that apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density.
The antioxidants and flavonoids present in apples help in the reducing the risk of respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The fiber and phytonutrients present in apples help in the reduction of blood cholesterol and also improve bowel function. In fact, apple juice has been found to restrain the oxidation of the harmful cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein).
The phytonutrients present in the skin of apples have been found to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.
The presence of dietary fiber in apples helps in better digestion and also promotes weight loss.
Researches have also suggested that foods like apples, which contain flavonoids, might reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Apples are low in calories; 100 g of fresh fruit slices provide only 50 calories. They are however contain no saturated fats or cholesterol; but rich in dietary fiber which helps prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. The dietary fibers also help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.
Apple fruit contains good quantities of vitamin-C and beta carotene. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
Apples are rich in antioxidant phyto-nutrients flavonoids and polyphenols. The total measured anti-oxidant strength (ORAC value) of 100 g apple fruit is 5900 TE. The important flavonoids in apples are quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B2. Apples are also good in tartaric acid that gives tart flavor to them. These compounds help body protect from deleterious effects of free radicals.
In addition, apple fruit is a good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). Together these vitamins help as co-factors for enzymes in metabolism as well as in various synthetic functions inside the body.
Apple also contains small amount of minerals like potassium, phosphorus and calcium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus counters the bad influences of sodium.
If symptoms persists consult you doctors!
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