10 Reasons Apples Are Good for Your Diet

Strolling the aisles of the grocery store, you can’t help but notice the impressive mounds of apples in various shades of red, yellow and green. They seem to be nothing short of perfect. Their skin is shiny. Their shape perfectly symmetrical. Unfortunately, apples tend to get bypassed quite often, especially in the summer months, when more exotic and seasonal fruits such as kiwi, mango, pineapple and strawberries are beckoning. While all fruits have nutritional benefits apples may come in first when it comes to providing overall healthful benefits.

Everyone has heard the old adage of an apple having magical powers of keeping the doctor away. Well, it is not entirely mythical. With the costs of healthcare rising constantly, munching on an apple certainly couldn’t hurt. Here are our 10 reasons why apples are good for your diet.

Fiber

One medium apple has 4 grams of fiber. The average woman needs approximately 25 grams of fiber a day. Eating an apple first thing in the morning is a good start to meeting this goal.

Less Sick Days

Combat the flu or common cold with an apple, specifically red apples. The antioxidant quercetin is found in red apples and recent studies have found that it can help boost your immune system and reduce stress.

Eye Disease Prevention

While not specific to apples, long-term studies suggest that individuals who eat a diet rich in antioxidants are up to 15 percent less likely to develop cataracts.

Weight Management

This goes back to the fiber found in apples. Because fiber is filling, you will stay satisfied longer and less likely to eat out of boredom.

Detox

Avoid detox diet fads. While they may work in the short-term, the long-term risks involved could prove to not be worth the immediate benefits. Instead, apples are a natural and gentle way to detoxify, especially toxins found in the liver.

Reduce Plaque Build-up in the Arteries

Eating a low-fat, high soluble fiber diet has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Soluble fiber is fiber that is slowly absorbed by the body.

Lower Risk of Diabetes

The soluble fiber in apples is a component in reducing a person’s risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. The slow absorption of fiber helps control blood sugar, keeping levels stable instead of spiking high or low.

Improve your Memory

As we age, especially as women reach menopause, cognitive function can decrease. A recent study found that mice who were fed an apple diet demonstrated higher levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, performing cognitive tasks better than the mice who were fed regular diets. It is believed that the juice of the apple contributed to this improvement in memory skills.

Bright, white teeth

Stop wasting money on those expensive teeth whiteners. An apple a day eaten the old-fashioned way (whole, not cut up, just taking a crisp, big bite) can gently scrub away surface stains. Of course, don’t throw away your toothbrush. Apples simply enhance your smile.

Fight Certain Cancers

Lastly, apples with their free-radical antioxidants that help repair and prevent cell damage can play a role in cancer prevention. Pancreatic cancer risks can be reduced by 23% by consuming apples. In addition, because of the high fiber content of apples instances of colon-rectal cancer risks are also lower.

What’s the final word? It appears that an apple a day may just be the answer to a long and healthy life.