Who doesn’t want to eat apples? More or less all the people across the globe like to eat apple or cherishes its juice. Apple is full of bio-chemical compounds like antioxidants, which helps to combat free radicals in the body thus put away many ailments. The fruit is known for its phyto-nutrients, antioxidants and dietary fibre that help it in fighting with heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and stroke. It is famous for a fiber called Pectin. This soluble fiber is known for innumerable health benefits. This is one of my favourite fruits after Mango. Because of its nutrition facts and surprising health benefits, it is considered as a superfood. It is tagged as ‘miracle food’ due to widespread cultivation and consumption.
This is the single fruit, which resembles to heart or it just like as heart shape. So eating apples means you are saving your heart.
The tree loaded with apple has aesthetic values. A number of poets have written on its magnificence. The beauty of an apple tree or orchard is the cynosure of attraction. That’s why a large number of people including tourist likes to visit Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir of India during the season of apples.
Wonder benefits of apples
1. Apple for weight loss
The fruit is rich in fiber. Eating this fruit discourages your longing towards food thus save you from extra calories. Digestion of pectin requires more time thus makes your stomach full for a longer time. It may also contain ursolic acid that reduces the risk of obesity and may be useful to make you slim and trim. Adequate amount of fiber helps smooth bowel movement and ensures effective functioning of digestion. Even doctor suggests rich fibre diet to obese people.
2. Apple for Alzheimer’s disease
The free radicals can degenerate the brain cells and may cause Alzheimer’s. But apple contains a powerful antioxidant called quercetin that prevents decaying of brain cells. The fruit is also known for flavonoids which are good for your brain as well as neurological problems. It is helpful in increasing memory and logical reasoning by stimulating the acetylcholine.
3. Apple for healthy heart
The soluble fiber pectin acts like as anti-cholesterol that works upon it in the intestine and reduces the gravity of cholesterol levels. Soluble fibre reduces the chances of cholesterol formation in the arteries too. Apple skin contains phenolic and flavanoids substances that prevent plaque accumulation in the artery walls thus ward off the risk of heart disease. Pectin and bunch of phenoloic compounds reduce total cholesterol as well as bad cholesterol. A new research in Florida State University has confirmed that older women who eat apple have reduced the risk of bad cholesterol (LDL) by 23 % while increased the level of good cholesterol (HDL) by 4% just after 6 months.
4. Apple prevents cancer
Apple is full of anti-cancer benefits. The American Association for Cancer Research has shown that apple reduce the chances of developing pancreatic cancer as it is rich in flavonol compound. Its peel contains triterpenoids which can ward off liver, colon and breast cancer as recommended by researchers at Cornell University. Because of high fibre, the miracle fruit may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer as suggested by National Cancer Institute, USA. This is one of the few fruits, which is associated with reduction of lung cancer.
5. Apple controls diabetes
Apple reduces the risk of diabetes, especially the type 2 diabetes. The soluble fiber in the fruit is helpful in blood sugar regulation. The presence of quercetin and flavonoids compounds slowing down carbohydrate assimilation process. Polyphenols delaying glucose absorption and stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin.
6. Apple for Parkinson’s protection
It has been proved by the scientific community that eating of high fibre rich fruits help to fight against Parkinson’s disease. The fruit helps to stop the breakdown of dopamine producing nerve cells that may be the reasons of Parkinson’s disease.
7. Apple protects against stroke
A research conducted in USA had suggested that intake of apple reduces the risk of thrombotic stroke. Eating apple over a long period of time powerfully reduces the chances of stroke. Quercetin in apple is acting as anti-stroke as per the scientists.
8. Apple for respiratory problems
Apple might be used as anti-asthmatic due to the presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. A number of studies had recommended apple’s positive relation in lowering down the risk of respiratory problems. A study conducted in Aberdeen University found that food rich in antioxidants and vitamins lowers down the chances of asthma and other respiratory problems. Asthmatic kids if given apple juice, the symptoms decrease gradually. There is a less likely to develop respiratory problems in the new born if the pregnant mother eat apple regularly
9. Apple for skin care and beauty
The fruit is helpful to give fair complexion and prevent you from wrinkles, pimples, acne, blemishes and black spots due to the presence of numerous phyto-nutrients and antioxidants. These compounds counteract the damaged caused by free radicals, which are directly related to premature aging. Method: The paste of apple and honey is applied on the face and leave it for 10-20 minutes followed by washing it with fresh water. The paste of apple and milk when applied is also beneficial to glow your face.
How to select apple?
Selection of apple is an important aspect. Before purchasing, one should ensure that the apple should be hard and solid. It should be free from any cutting or any other black spot marks. The soft and pliable apples should be avoided as these may infect with worms or germs. The fruit, which is supple in nature, is also not good in taste. Eating the hard one is crunchy and simultaneously enjoying.
How to store apple?
After bringing apple home, first dipped it into water for 2 to 3 hours. Washing apple with fresh water is important so that its germs, dirt’s and pesticides can be removed. After washing, it can be kept in a cool place to maintain its freshness and tastiness. Refrigerator apples can be used or consumed for a longer period of time. However, it is better to eat fresh one.