The apple is one of the main fruits that make up the superfood group. That it is good for your health and body is no secret, but some of its benefits are still less known. Here are 8 good reasons to consume an apple according to the articlesonhealth:
Lower cholesterol
An average apple has approximately four grams of fiber. Part of this is in the form of pectin, a type of soluble fiber that has been linked to lower levels of bad cholesterol. This happens because, according to WebMD, it blocks the absorption of cholesterol, helping the body to use it instead of storing it.
Keeps you satiated
The presence of fiber in the apple also makes it satiate you longer without having to consume a lot of calories (95 in an average fruit). Our body takes longer to digest complex fibers than simple materials like sugar or refined cereals. Any food with at least three grams of fiber is a good source of nutrients, since most people should consume 25 to 40 grams per day.
Bits of help keep you thin
A component of an apple peel, where most of the fiber is also concentrated, is something called ursolic acid, which is related to a lower risk of obesity, according to a recent study of mice. That’s because it increases the burning of calories and the development of muscle and lean mass.
Prevents breathing problems
According to Heath magazine , eating at least five apples a day can improve lung function. Probably thanks to an antioxidant called quercetin found in the skin of apples, onions and tomatoes, the BBC reported . And the benefits for breathing don’t stop there: a 2007 study found that women who eat a lot of this fruit are less likely to have children with asthma.
Fighting colds
Although not as efficient as orange, apples are considered a good source of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. An average fruit has about eight milligrams of this substance, which is equivalent to about 14% of the recommended daily intake.
It can fight cancer
In 2004, a French survey, published on WebMD , found that an apple substance is able to help in the prevention of colon cancer. A new study, conducted in Cornell, USA, in 2007, found additional compounds, called triterpenoids, that appear to fight colon, liver and breast cancer.
Decreases the risk of diabetes
A study published in 2012 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that apples, as well as pears and blackberries, were linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes because of a class of antioxidants, anthocyanins, which are also responsible for coloring fruits and vegetables.
Improves brain function
According to Good Housekeeping , the fruit has been linked to an increase in the production of acetylcholine, which communicates between nerve cells. This causes the apple to help memory and decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer’s. A diet rich in antioxidants can have similar effects, so apples, which are particularly rich in quercetin, are a good bet, according to 2004 research.
