4 Health Benefits of Apples

12:30pm - July 17, 2013

4 Health Benefits of Apples

Most people have heard of the old saying — an apple a day keeps the doctor away. These deliciously red and juicy fruits are the perfect on-the-go snack, but they also offer a number of health benefits when consumed. The next time you raid the pantry in search of a fast snack, you should consider eating an apple instead. Here we’ll go over 4 health benefits of apples, revealing their important role in a well-balanced diet.

Benefit #1 - Improves Digestion

Consuming apples will naturally improve your body’s digestion. The skin is a high fibrous material that works to clean your system from the inside out. If you frequently experience stomach pains, indigestion or constipation, you should add more apples into your diet. Eating just one a day will yield significant improvements to your digestive health.

Benefit #2 - Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

A recent study done by researchers at Florida State University reveals a link between apple consumption and lower rates of heart disease. The study found that women who ate apples on a regular basis were less likely to suffer from heart disease than those who didn’t eat them. This isn’t the only study that’s linked apples to a reduced risk of heart disease; several other Universities followed in their footsteps, revealing the same connection.

With heart disease taking the lives of 600,000 people each year, we should all be taking the necessary steps to lower our risk. Along with exercise, adding apples into your diet is one of the many ways to help reduce your risk.

Benefit #3 - Lowers Cholesterol

High cholesterol can lead to a wide variety of problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Due to their high fiber content, apples work to lower the body’s cholesterol levels. The fibrous material of the apples binds with the fat cells; thus, lowering cholesterol levels.

Benefit #4 - Gallstones and Kidney Stones

A fourth benefit of apples is that they reduce your chance of developing gallstones and kidney stones. While there’s no way to fully prevent yourself from gallstones or kidney stones, you can lower your overall risk by consuming more apples.

Like most things in life, the key to successfully reaping the benefits of apples is to enjoy them in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to stick with one per day, maybe two if you are experiencing a physically intense day. This will allow your body to absorb the fiber and nutrients from the apple without suffering from sugar shock.