Sweet, crunchy, and healthy – what else could be a more fulfilling snack than an apple? More than just being Snow White’s much loved fruit and Sir Isaac Newton’s trusted companion in discovering the laws of physics, apples have long been known to have a lot of benefits to a healthy lifestyle. As goes the old and overly-used saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” In fact, with the regular inclusion of an apple to your everyday diet, coupled with a healthy exercise routine, the only time you might be visiting your doctor is when you will give him an invitation to a tea party! More apple health benefits have been discovered through the researches and studies that were conducted by universities and associations, and you’ll be amazed to find that an apple, small as it is, holds a great number of benefits.

1. Rich in antioxidants

Apples are known to be rich in antioxidants that combat free radicals and slow down the aging process. These antioxidants help repair the damage that cells inflict upon themselves due to regular life processes that involve oxidation and it also helps fight off the toxins and radiation that we usually receive from our environment every day. Apples are also jam-packed with fiber called pectin that helps regulate bowel movement and flush out the dirt from the insides of your body. The combination of pectin and antioxidants gives apples the unrelenting power to boost our system and improve our health.

2. Apples can thwart cancer:

Lung, liver, colon, breast – name any cancer you can think of, and apples are sure to help fight off the damage inflicted by cancerous tumor cells on the body. Italian researchers have developed a study that showed the amazing effects of apple compounds in reducing the risk of cancers by 42% on people who eat more than one apple each day. In addition to this, the American Association for Cancer Research also holds the results of their study on the effects of apple consumption can curtail the risks of pancreatic cancer by 23%. The flavonoids and triterpenoids are the compounds that are credited for reducing the size of breast tumors in rats, putting anti-cancer at the top of the list of apple health benefits.

3. Apples can prevent the big Alzheimer:

Risks for Alzheimer’s disease can be easily prevented by a regular intake of apple juice. Cornell University has studied the effects of an apple-rich diet on mice and has found out that the species exhibited an increased brain activity and neurotransmitter production. The increased levels of acetylcholine in the brain, which helped the mice get through the maze easily, can be attributed to the compound quercetin, which is also an antioxidant that combats free radicals that may cause the onset of Alzheimer’s. Quercetin, which is richly found in red apples, is also said to boost the body’s immune system in times of stress.

4. Apples lower blood sugar:

Two apple health benefits are greatly attributed to one of the leading diseases in the country – diabetes. Apples are a great source of the soluble fiber pectin, which can increase the body’s production of the much needed galacturonic acid that helps manage diabetes as it lessens the body’s dependence on insulin to lower blood glucose levels. Researches have also noted that a regular intake of apples among women can decrease their chances of developing Type II diabetes in the future.

5. Apples strengthen bones:

Drinking milk to get the bones in tip-top shape, especially women who are more prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis, is not the only solution. Floridzin compounds in flavonol-rich apples help increase levels of calcium in the bones and helps improve the bone density of post-menopausal women. The bones are also strengthened through the boron compounds found in apples. What’s more, munching on the crunchy, healthy, and juicy goodness of apples reduces the risks for tooth decay by stimulating your salivary glands to produce more saliva to fight off bacteria. It’s quite similar to what sugar-free candy or gum does, except that apples are a healthier choice.

So the next time somebody suggests you choose Apple over other fruits or offers you an Apple do not pass it off. Have an apple and increase chances of remaining healthy. With so many advantages it surely makes sense when people say:
“An Apple a day keeps the doctor away; and it also keeps diseases at bay!!”