FOUR HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLES
#1: Apples and Your Heart
The water-soluble fiber in apples helps lower blood cholesterol levels. The antioxidant compounds in the fruit inhibit inflammation and prevent plaque from forming on your artery walls. One study linked apples to a lower risk of death from heart disease.
#2: Apples and Cancer
Research suggests that apples may help reduce the risk of various cancers, including breast and colon cancer. Apples have a proven effect of lowering a person’s risk of lung cancer. Research continues into the power the apple’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
#3: Apples and Diabetes
Apples have soluble fiber and polyphenols, which can help control blood sugar levels. One study showed that women who ate at least one apple a day were 28 percent less likely to develop diabetes. Another study found that people who ate 3 servings of fruit a week had a 7 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
#4: Apples and Your Weight
At less than 100 calories and containing loads of fiber, apples keep you feeling full without packing on the calories. One study found that people who ate apple slices at the beginning of a meal consumed an average of 200 calories less than people who didn’t eat apple slices. Maintaining a healthy weight has been shown to offer many health benefits.
Apples are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all of which benefit health. They also provide an array of antioxidants. These substances help neutralize free radicals.
Free radicals are reactive molecules that can build up as a result of natural processes and environmental pressures. If too many free radicals accumulate in the body, they can cause oxidative stress, and this can lead to cell damage. This damage can contribute to a range of conditions, including cancer and diabetes.
