The phrase ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is one that we all grew up hearing – but how much truth is there behind it? Surely it wouldn’t have become so widespread if it was a falsehood. Sure, eating an apple a day doesn’t necessarily keep the doctor away, because it takes a lot more than just eating one kind of food to avoid illness. But consuming apples on a regular basis can nonetheless be good for you. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of eating apples.

Avoid Alzheimer’s

Apple is a rich source of quercetin, a powerful flavonoid that neutralizes the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Quercetin also boosts your brain’s acetylcholine production and protects your brain cells from degeneration, helping to improve your memory.

Decrease the risk of diabetes

Apples are packed with soluble fiber, which slows food digestion and controls insulin levels by releasing sugar slowly into your bloodstream. Studies have shown that people who eat at least two servings of apple each day reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes.

Lower cholesterol

Pectin, a soluble fiber, is found in abundance in apples. Pectin lowers blood pressure, glucose levels, and levels of bad cholesterol. This soluble fiber also blocks the absorption of cholesterol, helping the body use it rather than store it.

Healthier teeth

Though an apple couldn’t replace your toothbrush, chewing it stimulates your gums, and the sweetness of an apple increases the production of saliva. This lowers the level of bacteria in your mouth and prevents tooth decay.

Strengthen bones

French researchers have discovered that phloridzin, a flavonoid found exclusively in apples, may help protect postmenopausal women fight osteoporosis, a progressive bone disease. Another nutrient in apples called boron can also strengthen bones and increase bone density.

Lung cancer prevention

Several studies have linked apple consumption with a reduced risk of cancer. Apples contain high levels of antioxidants, and research shows that these can cut the risk of lung cancer, as can the quercetin flavonoid also found in an apple.

So it seems that an apple a day may keep the doctor at bay for a good few years, if enjoyed often as part of a well rounded diet. The list of benefits here is merely the start.
When it comes to maintaining a proper diet, it is not only about what we eat, but how we eat it. Get in touch with us today and we’ll help you create a diet program that suits you best.