5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLES

You are well aware of the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", right? Perhaps you have wondered why?

What exactly is it about this seemingly magical fruit that causes doctors and health experts from all around the world to advertise the health benefits of apples?  Is it due solely to the high levels of nutritional content in apples.

We are now beginning to gain a better understanding of the vitamins found in apples, as well as the highly beneficial characteristics of the numerous compounds found in apples.

Knowing why apples are good for you and your family will further encourage you  to pursue them as a vital part of your family's diet.

Before we look at some of the many health benefits of apples, you may be wondering why you can't just take vitamins that contain the same nutrients as found in apples.  That is a good question.

It is better to eat apples than it is merely to take vitamins because it now appears that the many vitamins and minerals found in apples act together to provide you with more benefits than when taken alone.  Simply put, the sum of an apple is more valuable than its individual vitamins and minerals.  The health benefits of apples are:

Continued Mental Health--Now, let's get to the benefits!  According to NutritionData.com the phytonutrients found in apples can protect your brain form debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson's.  These diseases sprout from the breakdown of the brain.

If you want to maintain your full mental capabilities for you and your family as you enter the later stages of your life.

High Levels of Fiber--Another benefit of apples, although less known, is its ability to provide your body with sufficient levels  of fiber.  You will not usually find fiber listed within the content of apple nutrition, but fiber offers substantial value to your diet.  Fiber is known for its tendency to ensure both digestive regularity and relief of constipation.

AmericanHeart.org states that fiber also helps in the fight against many potentially fatal diseases, including different forms of cancer and heart disease.  It can also help prevent other not-so-serious-yet highly annoying-problems such as hemorrhoids and Crohn's disease.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes--One of the biggest myths in the medical field is the idea that women do not need to be concerned about heart disease.  It has long been thought of as a "man's disease", but the title has turned in recent years.  We now know that women are prone to heart disease, particularly as they move on in years.

The good news is that with frequent checkups, steady exercise, and a healthy diet, you can reduce your risk of any major problems.  Keeping with our theme, consider apples an integral part of your healthy diet.  Studies completed by NYApplesCountry.com has shown that the consumption of apples leads to a lower risk for heart trouble.

The jury is still out on just how much apples can benefit your heart, but one recent experiment showed that women who had eaten apples for an extended period had a 15% decease in cardiovascular disease risk.  That is good news for you-and for your family who wants you around for a long time.  Not only can apples decrease your risk of heart disease, they can also reduce your risk for diabetes.  Several studies have shown that women who consumed at least an apple a day were able to reduce their risk of Type II diabetes.

Many of the preventative vitamins were found in the peel of the apple.  Your kids may not like the peel, and you may even be prone to removing it yourself, but it is an essential part of the apple.  Later on we will briefly touch upon the benefits of eating the whole apple.

Weight Loss and a Reduction in Asthma--If you have any interest in losing weight, you will be glad to know that apples have also been associated with significant weight loss.  WeightLossForAll.com features a Brazilian study of middle-aged women that shows that they were more likely to lose weight if they consumed apples on a regular basis.

Another group of overweight women asked to eat three apples a day eventually showed more weight loss than women who had similarly eaten other fruits for the same amount of time.  Eating apples also led to a lower glucose level for many women, thus providing yet another in a long line of health benefits of apples.

Apples have also been known to decrease the effects of asthma.  In fact, your favorite red fruit is often associated with improving general pulmonary health.  Apples have consistently proven to be more effective in fighting pulmonary problems than other fruits and vegetables.

Reduced Risk of Lung Cancer--We have covered some pretty big topics of concern so far, but here is the biggie.  As a woman, one of the most intimidating diseases you hope to avoid is cancer.  Much has been said about the disease that strikes fear in every woman's heart.  There is an ongoing effort to identify every little factor that can help reduce your risk for cancer. Believe it or not, apples can play a role in your fight against the deadly disease.  

Lung cancer is the most common cancer to be thwarted by eating apples. Recent studies done by NYAppleCountry.com state that women who consumed at least one apple per day reduced their risk of lung cancer.  As with all forms of cancer, and diseases in general, the role of prevention cannot be overstated.

There are a couple of other things you should know about apples, in addition to the health benefits they offer.  They are most beneficial  when eaten as a whole fruit.  While they are quite delicious when combined with certain sauces or when peeled, remember that anything that is done to an apple to alter its original content will reduce its level of nutrition.

The peel is one of the most nutritious parts of the apple, so get into the habit of including it when you eat an apple.  Go ahead and eat the whole thing-except for the stem and seeds, of course!!

Additionally, while we have learned the many ways in which apples can help you, keep in mind that they should not be you sole source of nutrition.  You will most benefit by thinking of them as one key ingredient in your larger recipe for a healthy life.  You want to remain as vibrant as you are now, so develop the habits that will make that happen.

The health benefits of apples are plentiful.  Apples reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, and help you as you seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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