What are some health benefits of apples?
I’ve started having an apple (or more) a day, in part to keep the doctor away, but also because I finally found a place nearby that sells good apples fairly consistently. I was wondering what some of the health benefits are – I’ve heard that apples can help you run better, for one thing, and was wondering if that was true. Also I’ve been told they’re pretty high in fiber. What else are they good for? And which color of apples (red vs green) is better for you, from a health standpoint, or does it really matter?
Best answer:
Answer by Murad
We’re told that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what exactly are the health benefits of apples? Here are ten reasons to heed the advice of that old proverb.
Bone Protection
French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.
Asthma Help
One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.
Alzheimer’s Prevention
A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Lower Cholesterol
The pectin in apples lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.
Lung Cancer Prevention
According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.
Breast Cancer Prevention
A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.
Colon Cancer Prevention
One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Liver Cancer Prevention
Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.
Diabetes Management
The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body’s need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.
Weight Loss
A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.
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I’ve also heard that apples are good for your skin and hair. I think all apples are healthy but some have more calories than others.
People always say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Actually the health benefits of any foods and fruits depend on what nutrients they contain. I am not sure if it helps you run better bcoz I have never heard or read that before. But no doubt it has many health benefits. Its high in fibre so it will make ur stomach feel full and u eat less. Fibre also helps you to eliminate toxins out of the body and speed up waste elimination from the body. Apple is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes, fibres and is low in calories. Whether it is green or red, the benefits are about the same