Do These Four Health Benefits of an Apple Keep the Doctor Away?

I think we might have all heard the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but is it true?  Let’s find out!  

Here are four reasons to incorporate apples into your daily routine: 

Heart Health 

The soluble fiber in apples, particularly pectin, can help lower your cholesterol levels. How?  Pectin binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and moves it along keeping the waxy material from clogging your arteries, or the pathways from the heart to our tissues and organs.  Additionally, antioxidants found in apples, may help reduce blood pressure too. 

Weight Management 

Apples are low in calories and high in fiber.  When you eat fiber containing foods you satisfy that hunger cue, keeping you satisfied for a longer period of time.  Think if you eat an apple compared to a donut.  You’ll find yourself feeling hungry quicker after eating the donut, although tasty, doesn’t necessarily help fulfill that hunger for an extended period of time.  Also eating an apple or other fiber containing snack can help control your overall appetite. 

Another benefit of apples is that they are 85% water containing.  Hello hydration! 

Digestive System 

Talking more about fiber, the fiber content in apples aids digestion and promotes a healthy gut. Like how we mentioned that fiber helps keep you feeling fuller longer, it also helps as a bulking agent for our bowel movements and can help prevent constipation.  Let’s keep things moving (get it? HA!).

Blood Sugar Control 

Apples are a naturally sugary food, but when we look at it compared to a slice of cake or a cookie they are very different. Apples contain fiber which helps stabilize blood sugars or glucose levels, which processed foods like your dessert items do not.  When our blood sugar levels are stable we stabilize our energy levels.  No sugar rush with a crash here!  

Apples also contain antioxidants which protect the pancreas.  Why do we care? Well, the pancreas is the house that produces insulin which removes glucose from the blood aka the pancreas helps keep your blood sugars controlled.  

Apples might not be the sole reason you stay away from the doctor, but hopefully this gives you a good reason to grab an apple as a snack, add sliced apple to a salad, use them in a smoothie or even have an apple dessert!  I’m a big fan of apple and peanut butter as a snack and will never say no to a warm apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Yum! Let us know how you are adding apples into your daily routine!  

Happy National Apple Day (October 21st), 

P.S: If you are finding this blog too short and craving more nutrition related info, go clicking around this blog!  I linked you up with five other blogs within this blog for you to read.  Never forget our website is packed with FREE blogs for you to learn more.  

This blog was written by Amanda J. Stahl, RD, LDN, co-founder of Simple Start Nutrition.  For more blog posts and nutrition information follow @simplestartnutrition on Instagram and Facebook.  Also feel free to contact us, by visiting our website (simplestartnutrition.com) to schedule an appointment to discuss your nutrition related needs.  

References: 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-apples