In today’s choices of quick fixes, wonderful herbal remedy preparations, and unique supplement combinations promising health, many people forget that sometimes the simplest answers are the best. Better health could be as easy as reaching for the fruit bowl for some apples next time you need a snack.For 2010 we thought we’d start with the basics and remind our patients about the many benefits of apples.
Packed with antioxidants (which undo cellular damage), and with soluble fibre (which helps detoxify tissues), apples provide numerous health benefits—some of which are listed below.
1. Get whiter, healthier teeth An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria. 2. Avoid Alzheimer’s A new study performed on mice shows that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away by stimulating acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter required for memory) and fight the effects of aging on the brain. 3. Protect against Parkinson’s Research has shown that people who eat apples and other high-fibre foods gain a certain amount of protection against Parkinson’s from the antioxidants contained within them. 4. Curb all sorts of cancers Researchers and scientists have identified several compounds—triterpenoids—in apple peel that have potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon and breast and pancreatic tissue. The National Cancer Institute in the U.S. has recommended a high fibre intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. 5. Decrease your risk of diabetes Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t eat apples. Apples are loaded with soluble fibre, the key to avoiding blood sugar swings. 6. Reduce cholesterol The soluble fibre found in apples binds with fats in the intestine, which translates into lower cholesterol levels and a healthier you. 7. Get a healthier heart An extensive body of research has linked high soluble fibre intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in your arteries. 8. Prevent gallstones Gallstones form when there’s too much cholesterol in your bile for it to remain as a liquid thus, to prevent gallstones, a diet high in fibre is recommended to help you control cholesterol levels. 9. Overcome diarrhea and constipation Whether you can’t go to the bathroom or you just can’t stop, fibre found in apples can help. Fibre can either pull water out of your colon to keep things moving along when you’re backed up, or absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down. 10. Reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating. To control these symptoms stay away from dairy and fatty foods while including a high intake of fibre in your diet. 11. Avert hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are a swollen vein in the anal canal and while not life threatening, these veins can be very painful. They are caused by too much pressure in the pelvic and rectal areas. Part and parcel with controlling constipation, fibre can prevent you from straining too much when going to the bathroom and thereby help alleviate hemorrhoids. 12. Control your weight Many health problems are associated with being overweight, among them heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. To manage your weight and improve your overall health, you need a diet rich in fibre. Foods high in fibre will fill you up without costing you too many calories. 13. Detoxify your liver We’re constantly consuming toxins, whether it is from drinks or food, and your liver is responsible for clearing these toxins out of your body. Luckily, one of the best—and easiest—things you can eat to help detoxify your liver is eating fruits—like apples. 14. Boost your immune system Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when it is depleted by stress. 15. Prevent cataracts Though past studies have been divided on the issue, recent long-term studies suggest that people who have a diet rich in fruits that contain antioxidants—like apples—are 10 to 15 per cent less likely to develop cataracts.
