In the United States, apples were once grown mainly for cider. Today they are mostly eaten fresh, although some of the crop becomes apple juice, applesauce, apple butter, and other products. As a fresh fruit, they have an impressive array of health benefits. It's no wonder that an old English adage stated, " To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread".
Health Benefits
Nutritionists and other scientists get excited about apples because of their phytochemical content. Phytochemicals are substances found in plants that may be good for human health. They go by many different names, such as phytonutrients, polyphenols, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Apples contain 16 different phytochemicals. You shouldn't peel your apples, as most of the phytochemicals are in the skin. These substances, plus a healthy fiber content, help apples to provide these health benefits:
Lower Cancer Risk
Cancer researchers believe that phytochemicals act in several ways to reduce the risk of cancer. They prevent damage to DNA, help the body repair DNA, and keep damaged cells from reproducing. They may also slow tumor growth.
Gut Health
Some research suggests that apples may act as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of helpful bacteria in the gut. Researchers found that organically grown apples had more beneficial bacteria and fewer pathogens than commercially grown apples.
Heart Health
Those who eat apples can reap many health benefits related to cardiovascular health, such as lower blood pressure, better lipid panels, and less inflammation. Researchers believe that these benefits are primarily due to the polyphenols in the apples.
Blood Sugar Control
In one study, women who ate at least one apple a day had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes than those who ate none. Researchers believe that the phytochemicals in apples may protect cells in the pancreas from damage.
Nutrition
Apples don't contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. Most of their benefits come from fiber and phytochemicals. They contain fair amounts of these two micronutrients:
Vitamin C
Biotin
