Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Stay Healthy, Eat an Apple

An Apple a Meal is a Healthy Deal

One good way to promote good health, nutrition and wellness is to eat an apple a day; thus the reason behind the popular saying," An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away." Studies have proven that apples offer numerous health and nutrition benefits. For instance, apples are free of fat,
sodium and cholesterol and have high fiber content. Plus, apples contain antioxidants that improve immune function and prevent heart disease and some cancers. Low in calories, apples, when eaten unpeeled, are also a good source of potassium, folic acid, vitamin C and calcium.

The healthful benefits of apples date back to circa 400 BC when Hippocrates, the Greek physician considered the father of medicine, used apples among his favorite remedies in nutritional healing. Because apples are cooling and moistening, they would be grated and given to patients to reduce fever. In addition, steamed apples sweetened with honey were used to treat a dry cough, as well as to remove mucous from the lungs.

Today, the medical profession promotes the apple's rich quantity of pectin as an aid in reducing high cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as benefiting people with coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Check out these other healthy apple facts:

* Fresh apples help in promoting digestion because they contain malic and tartaric acids that inhibit fermentation in the intestines. Their high fiber content adds bulk that aids the digestive process, making elimination natural and comfortable. Apples also contain pectin, a soluble fiber that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

* An apple contains the following vitamins: A (74IU); B Thiamine (.04mg); Niacin (15mg); C Absorbic Acid (8mg); and Riboflavin (.03mg).

* An apple contains the following minerals: Calcium (10mg); Phosphorus (100mg); Iron (.45mg); Potassium (159mg); and Magnesium (12mg).

* An apple contains 4.28 grams of dietary fiber. Research has shown that dietary fiber helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

* Green apples, in particular, act as a liver and gall bladder cleanser and may aid in softening gallstones.

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