“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Why did we have such a saying? There are many health reasons to consume apples, not just because they keep the doctors away. Find out the 13 reasons why you should be incorporating apples into your diet if you have not done so.
Apples Give You Healthier Teeth
Now we are not saying to throw your toothbrush and toothpaste away, neither are we saying you can stop brushing your teeth (hygiene is still very important!). The act of biting and chewing apples helps to stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth, which lowers the levels of bacteria that can be found in the mouth. Thereby, reducing chances of tooth decay or gum issues.
Fight Alzheimer’s Diseases With Apples
Drinking apple juice can help to fight the effects of ageing on the brain which is good news for people who are suffering from Alzheimer. Studies done on mice who were fed with apples showed they did better in maze tests than mice who ate regular food.
Apples Also Fight Against Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a condition where the brain’s dopamine-producing nerve cells break down. Eating high fibre foods like apple can help to fight off the free radicals and protect you against Parkinson’s disease.
Apples Protect You Against Cancer
Up to 23% reduction of developing pancreatic cancer if you consume flavonol-rich apples regularly. Compounds like triterpenoids that are found in the apple peel contain potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells that can be developed in the breast, liver and colon. Eating high fibre foods which include apples can also help to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Apples Reduce Risk Of Diabetes
Consuming apples regularly can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by at least 28%. Apples are loaded with soluble fibre, which is the key to lowering those blood sugar swings.
Apples Lower Cholesterol Level
As apples are loaded with soluble fibre, these fibre binds itself with fats in the intestine, which translates to lower cholesterol levels. Lower cholesterol level means a healthier you.
Get A Healthier Heart With Apples
Because of the high soluble fibre intake found in apples and the lower cholesterol levels, it means there is a slower build-up of plaque in your arteries. When plaque is built up in your arteries, your blood flow to your heart is affected, and this can lead to coronary artery disease. So load up on those apples as the phenolic compound that is found in apple skins prevents cholesterol from solidifying on your arteries.
Apples Help To Prevent Gallstones
Gallstones are small, hard, crystalline masses that are formed abnormally in the gallbladder or bile ducts from cholesterol, calcium salts and bile pigments. If you suffer from gallstones, you will be experiencing severe pain and blockage of the bile duct. As apples can help to lower the cholesterol level, your body is less likely to produce gallstones.
Apples Help With Regular Bowel Movement
Having constipation or diarrhoea is neither a fun experience to have. To prevent spending too much time in the bathroom or not being able to go to the bathroom, load up on high fibre food like apples. Having sufficient fibre in you will help to pull water out of your colon to move things along in your digestive tract, and also to absorb any excess water from your stool to slow down your bowels.
Apples Relieve Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and bloating in the stomach points to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To help with IBS, firstly, stay away from fatty foods and dairy products. Next, load up on high fibre foods like apple so that your digestive tract is kept healthy and happy.
Apples Prevent Haemorrhoids
When the walls of the blood vessels in your rectum and anus region get stretched too thin, the veins bulge and become irritated. And that is how you can contract haemorrhoids. With a high fibre diet, you are less likely to be straining yourself too much when going to the bathroom, and this will prevent the risk of developing haemorrhoids.
Control Your Weight With Apples
A hint on how you can control your weight easily. That’s right, eating apples! Again, when you have a high fibre diet, you are able to manage your weight and your overall health. When you are overweight, you tend to face health issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and sleep apnea. To counter all of that, load up on high fibre foods that will fill you up yet without adding on to your calorie count.
Control Your Immune System With Apples
Quercetin, an antioxidant, can be found in red apples. Studies have found that quercetin can boost and fortify your immune system, which tends to be affected when you are facing stress.