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Why an apple a day keeps the doctor away
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the good old adage. This luscious red fruit is packed with nutrients and helps fight all kinds of ailments.
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Eating an apple everyday boosts immune system and promotes not only physical, but also emotional well-being. Nutrients present in the fruit include powerful flavonoids, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals that help fight diseases. (Shutterstock/File)
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n apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the good old adage. This luscious red fruit is packed with nutrients and helps fight all kinds of ailments. And, of course, the freshly picked ripe apples taste sweet and juicy in every bite. But what are the many health benefits of apples and what is the right way to have them it to gain maximum benefits of it
Health benefits
Eating an apple everyday boosts immune system and promotes not only physical, but also emotional well-being. Nutrients present in the fruit include powerful flavonoids, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals that help fight diseases. Hence, daily consumption of fresh apples may lower the risk of strokes, high blood pressure, indigestion, asthma, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Apple also keeps your skin supple and radiant. It has high quantities of water and fiber content which helps to keep digestive tract clean and body weight under control. Its consumption treats vitamin and mineral deficiencies and their associated symptoms.
The right way to have apples
Eat with the peel: Eating apples with the peel is the best way to gain all the health benefits of it. The antioxidant content is contained mainly in its peel, according to studies. The large amount of fiber content prevents clotting of cholesterol and keeps the heart healthy.
Read also: Certain nuts may help ward off return of colon cancer: study
Eat regularly: Eating apples regularly may flush all toxins out of the liver. According to UK researchers, adults who eat two apples a week may reduce their asthma risk by up to a third. In a separate study, pregnant women who ate apples, their children were found to be comparatively less asthma-prone in their first five years. Due to high levels of antioxidant, apples appear to have an anti-asthma effect stronger than any other food.
Chew them well: Chewing a crisp apple may boost gum health. The repeated jaw movement increases the blood circulation to the gums. They’re natural mouth freshener containing the fragrance cells in their skin. They contain compounds called tannins which may help prevent gum disease.
Eat apples every few hours if you are suffering from stomach infection: Apples contain more pectin than any other fruit. So, if you have diarrhea, try eating an apple every few hours. It stimulates production of antibodies and white blood cells which help fight diseases. Apple is a diabetes-friendly fruit. It may reduce your risk of diabetes related complications.
Have fresh apples: Freshly picked apples are said to be fat-free, cholesterol-free, sodium-free, and high in fiber and natural antioxidants called polyphenols. Eating apples may slow down the effects of aging and promote bone health.
Include apples in your daily diet and see the miraculous health benefits.
This article appeared on The Statesman newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
