The apple is known as the “fruit of sin”. However, this natural delight contains thousands of beneficial properties for our health. Eating an apple a day offers numerous benefits. It is one of the healthiest foods available to us and one that we should never miss at home. Read on to find out why you should eat an apple a day.
An Apple A Day Keeps The Meds Away (But Not The Doctor)
As shown by a study by the American National Institute of Health, eating an apple a day is good for our body and prevents many diseases. However, this does not mean that we should stop seeing our doctor or having regular checkups. This was shown in a study of 8400 people, of whom 10% ate an apple every day for a year. The same percentage did not need medication for the entire duration of the study.
Those who eat an apple a day are less likely to smoke and usually have higher levels of education and intelligence. The consumption of this fruit undoubtedly represents a healthier lifestyle. This is because it is an excellent source of vitamin C, soluble fibre and flavonoids. It can be eaten at the end of a meal, for breakfast, as a mid-morning snack, when you are nervously hungry or hungry, before going to sleep or playing sports. It does not contain too many calories or sugars and can be eaten by everyone and at all ages.
Why Eat An Apple A Day?
- Hydrates the body thanks to the high water content (about 80% of its composition).
- It is a diuretic food, reduces the accumulation of liquids, cramps in the lower limbs (legs and feet) and lowers blood pressure thanks to its potassium content.
- Contains vitamins of group E, excellent antioxidants.
- Because it contains both soluble and insoluble fibre, it is excellent for treating constipation or diarrhoea. In the first case, it is advisable to eat it raw and with the peel; if our problem is diarrhoea, it is better to cook the apple or eat it as a fruit compote.
- The peel of the apple is rich in pectin. This fibre protects the gastric mucosa. If washed well, there is no need to peel it, so you can make the most of all the benefits that facilitate digestion. Various studies have shown that pectin is essential for preventing certain cancers such as colorectal cancer.
The secret and benefits of the apple lie in its phytochemicals which, in addition to preventing cancer, lower blood sugar and fat levels. For this reason, it is advisable for people with diabetes or high cholesterol to consume at least two apples a day. This fruit purifies and cleans the blood. One of the phytochemical components of apple is quercetin, which prevents cardiovascular problems, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and even muscle contractions.
It also contains some acids such as tartaric acid and malic acid, which facilitate the digestion of fats. For this reason, we recommend that you eat an apple after a binge for both lunch and dinner. Prevents glucose spikes after meals.
The Apple And The Mind
It is an ideal fruit for those on a diet or suffering from nervous hunger. The apple is a very satiating food that prevents us from overeating. It helps to lose weight and is an excellent source of energy when included in a balanced diet.
The apple also increases our cognitive abilities thanks to the supply of sugars, excellent for the brain. It can even be said that eating an apple before class or an exam has the same effect as Popeye’s spinach. Intellectual abilities will increase, we will be more productive, we will be able to assimilate more information, remember more data, and increase our performance in any sector.
The red one is the richest in antioxidants and, therefore, in benefits among the apple varieties. However, this does not mean that the others are not as good for your health. Being an easy-to-carry fruit, it can be eaten anywhere, making it a healthy and ideal snack to take to school, office, beach, picnic, college or wherever you want! We can put an apple in your bag without any problems (but remember to wash it before leaving the house and throw away the core).
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