With apple season in full swing in southern Ontario, we thought we'd look at that old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." What exactly are the health benefits of apples?Here's a quick list:
- Apples are high in antioxidants which can help prevent and repair cell damage from free radicals and, in the process, help prevent diseases like Parkinson's and conditions like cataracts. (Wikipedia explains the science behind antioxidants.)
- One of the antioxidants in red apples-quercetin-can help boost your immune system.
- Apples also contain loads of pectin, a soluble fibre that helps keep your digestive system in good working order. As with any high-fibre food, apples can lower cholesterol levels, prevent diabetes and help with weight control by making you feel full faster so you eat less.
- Apples can also help detoxify your liver.
Many of the health benefits of apples are in the skin, so if you can eat them raw with the skin, you'll be doing yourself a favour. That's not to say that apple products lack benefits. Studies have shown that drinking apple juice or cider may help ward off Alzheimer's and that apple cider vinegar, taken internally or used topically, can improve the tone and appearance of skin.
Whether you go to a local farm and pick your own or shop at your local grocery store, be sure to get that apple a day. Or try some hot mulled apple cider on a cool fall day to get the nutritional benefits of apples and a soothing, flavourful treat.
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