An apple a day: What makes apples so healthy? - Chelan Fresh (2024)

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An apple a day: What makes apples so healthy? - Chelan Fresh? ›

Vitamins and Minerals

After all, an apple a day is a healthier way. Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Research says apples may also help you lose weight while improving your gut and brain health. Did you know apples are the most widely consumed fruit globally?

A Quick Review. Apples are a good source of nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants which can help support healthy digestion, brain health, and weight management. There is evidence that apples can also protect against certain chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Red Delicious Apples

They've got more polyphenolic compounds than most other apples, with most of the nutrition in the skin – so be sure not to peel them before chowing down. Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants.

A study on apple consumption in postmenopausal women found that those who ate two medium apples a day for a year had a 23% reduction in bad cholesterol (LDL). The cause of this decline in bad cholesterol comes from pectin (a powerful fiber) that binds cholesterol and sweeps them out of the body.

Good choices include oranges, blueberries, apples, avocados, and bananas, but there are many more to choose from. Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber. Fruits also provide a wide range of health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids.

Apples do contain sugar, but much of the sugar found in apples is fructose. When fructose is consumed in a whole fruit, it has very little effect on blood sugar levels (6). Also, the fiber in apples slows down the digestion and absorption of sugar.

While apples contain more fiber, an important nutrient that aids in healthy digestion and lowering cholesterol, oranges provide more vitamins and minerals including the ever-powerful vitamin C.

Red Delicious apples are the healthiest from an antioxidant standpoint, Crumble Smith says. The darker the color of the apple, the richer it'll be in antioxidants. Antioxidants help neutralize the free radicals in our bodies which, when imbalanced, can cause cell damage and lead to disease.

Apple Skin: Nutrition Star

According to Healthline, a raw apple with skin contains up to 332% more vitamin K, 142% more vitamin A, 115% more vitamin C, 20% more calcium, and up to 19% more potassium than a peeled apple does. Talk about nutritious!

What is the best time to eat apples? ›

The best time to eat apples is in the morning. Because the pectin present in apples is very beneficial for the intestines. Pectin effectively supports intestinal function and prevents constipation. You can eat apples when feeling a little hungry, it can be a nutritious snack and help regulate blood sugar.

Eating an apple every day is unlikely to negatively affect your health. However, eating excessive amounts of apples every day could contribute to digestive issues.

Apples: The Miracle Fruit

First, apples are a great source of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is now known for lowering the “bad” cholesterol in your body. Apples can also help keep your blood pressure at healthy levels.

Evidence does not support that an apple a day keeps the doctor away; however, the small fraction of US adults who eat an apple a day do appear to use fewer prescription medications.

These two fruits are remarkably similar in most nutritional areas, with bananas taking a slight edge over apples in the vitamin/mineral department, and apples taking the slight edge in the fiber department.

Like all foods, apples alone don't promote weight loss, but when you include them with various nutritious foods, they could help you lose weight. To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you expend.

A daily medium-sized apple—and its 4.4 grams of fiber—might keep the doctor away (at least according to the saying).