9 Amazing Health Benefits of Apples
Apples are the kind of fruit that you can enjoy almost any time of the year. Aside from being so delicious and versatile, apples are rich in nutrients that can provide incredible benefits to your body and overall health.
The main benefits are due to their very high content of antioxidant compounds and pectin, which help fight the damaging effects of free radicals while also stimulating your body’s natural detox.
In addition to this, apples provide a feeling of fullness when you eat them. Therefore, they’re highly recommended for people who want to lose weight but have trouble controlling their cravings for food.
There are plenty of other reasons why this fruit is one of the best choices you can incorporate into your daily diet. In today’s article we’ll cover nine of the most important health benefits of apples.
The most important health benefits of apples
1. Apples are good for your heart
These compounds neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals that damage healthy cells and increase your risk of developing heart disease and cancer.
In addition to that, the soluble fiber in the peel reduces the absorption of cholesterol and helps regulate your digestion in general.
2. They help fight fluid retention
Thanks to their high content of potassium, apples are a natural diuretic that fight fluid retention and many of the problems associated with it.
People who have inflammatory diseases or high blood pressure may also benefit from eating an apple a day.
However, those who are suffering from kidney problems should talk to their doctor before consuming a lot of apples.
3. They may fight constipation and diarrhea
The high content of insoluble fiber in the peel of the applehelps promote regular bowel movements and wards off constipation.
Meanwhile, the apple flesh contains a kind of fiber known as pectin. This substance promotes good intestinal transit and limits the amount of water that’s lost through problems like diarrhea.
Apples also contain a phytochemical known as tannin, which fights inflammation and is a natural antibiotic.
4. They promote dental health
When you eat an apple it stimulates the production of saliva in the mouth. This helps to reduce the presence of bacteria that cause tooth decay and other dental hygiene problems.
Eating an apple can’t replace your regular toothbrush and toothpaste. However, it can be quite handy on the rare occasion you find yourself without these items.
5. They may prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Thanks to the antioxidant content in apples, drinking apple juice could potentially be an effective way to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and premature aging of the brain.
6. They may protect you against Parkinson’s disease
In consumption of foods rich in fiber, such as the apple, they play an important role in the prevention of Parkinson’s disease. This is suggested by this study conducted by the United States Apple Association.
Scientists believe that the presence of free radicals can also influence the development of this debilitating disease, so consuming foods that are high in antioxidants, like apples, may also be a factor in preventing it.
7. They decrease your risk of diabetes
The soluble fiber in apples helps reduce blood sugar in patients who are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes. Just eating one apple a day could reduce your risk by up to 20%.
8. They prevent the formation of gallstones
Gallstones form when you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, which prevents bile from helping to digest fats normally.
Unused bile solidifies into gallstones that can cause a variety of symptoms and significantly erode your overall health.
A diet that’s rich in fiber, fends off the buildup of cholesterol and significantly reduces your obesity risk.
Also read: 6 Foods to Help Fight Gallstones
9. They detox the liver
When you eat too much unhealthy, high-calorie foods you increase your risk of developing a whole suite of disorders related to an unhealthy liver.
Yes, your body has the ability to cleanse itself, but if you’re overloading its natural detox system this process becomes nearly impossible.
Fortunately, by eating apples or drinking apple juice every day you can support natural detox and keep your liver working properly.
Were you aware of these amazing health benefits of apples? We hope that from now on you’ll always make sure to include them in your daily diet.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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Rui, H. L., Liu, J., & Chen, B. (2005). Apples prevent mammary tumors in rats. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf058010c
Gerhauser, C. (2008). Cancer chemopreventive potential of apples, apple juice, and apple components. Planta Medica. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1088300
Bondonno, N. P., Bondonno, C. P., Ward, N. C., Hodgson, J. M., & Croft, K. D. (2017). The cardiovascular health benefits of apples: Whole fruit vs. isolated compounds. Trends in Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2017.04.012
