We’re all familiar with the phrase, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but just what is the truth behind this saying? Well, to put it simply, quite a lot – apples are incredibly good for us, so get munching on this classic fruit if you’re trying to be fit and healthy, and want to look good in a tankini for your summer holiday.
However, it seems that in recent times, the apple has been shelved and forgotten about in favour of supposed ‘super foods’; exotic fruits and veg that are so-say guaranteed to give us abs like Rihanna. But they’re expensive, and can be difficult to include in your day-to-day diet. This post celebrates the simplicity and the endless health benefits of this old school, everyday fruit.
Apples are great because they rarely go out of season – sure, some varieties are found in more seasons than others, but you won’t find the supermarkets doubling the price of an apple when it’s not quit in season, unlike Lychee or acai berries. That said, make sure you pick bright and firm apples to ensure they’re at their best.
Apples are low in calories, fat and salt and contain lots of fibre. These factors all contribute to weight loss in different ways. Fibre will help you feel fuller for longer because it expands in your stomach and so takes less to fill you up, and eating foods low in salt prevents excess water weight. Amazingly, they also help regulate your blood-sugar level which helps stave off cravings for high calorie foods.
It’s not just about weight – the health benefits of eating apples are numerous and do wonders for your insides; and if you feel good on the inside it’ll show on the outside, too!
Apples are great for lowering cholesterol: they contain Pectin, which helps lower ‘bad’ cholesterol. If you ate two apples a day, you could lower your cholesterol by about 10%.
Healthier teeth: Chewing an apple stimulates saliva production which reduces tooth deterioration by lessening bacteria level, so forget your doctor, you can keep the dentist away too!
Quercetin, an antioxidant, is found in red apples which strengthens the immune system. They’re also bursting with vitamin C. Apples can also help keep Alzheimer’s at bay – a study found that mice that drank apple juice had better functioning brains.
With the average apple only containing 65 calories, it’s the perfect post-lunch snack, and with over 7,500 varieties of apple in the world, you won’t get bored of them. Apples are so versatile – they can be used in beverages, main courses and everything in between, and they’re one of the cheapest fruits you can buy. So forget exotic, expensive superfoods and bag yourself an apple!
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