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 Health Benefits of Apples
Eat an apple a day. Doing that could help you remember to
eat an apple a day. It might also help keep your skin from wrinkling. And apple
consumption appears to promote hair growth. In addition, scientific research
continues to build more and more evidence that antioxidants in apples are
protective against cardiovascular disease and cancer development. Apples just
make sense as a daily part of the human diet.
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.
Related Links:
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Super Foods: The Top 10 Healthiest Foods
10 Tips to Healthy Eating
Food Pyramid -
Healthy
Eating for Lifetime
Complete Guide to HEALTH ==>>
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