The Healthy Benefits of the Apple
Let's take a look at the apple for instance. Apples are the champions of the fruit world. If you were to examine the apple, you'll see that the crisp, white flesh is actually hiding a fat attacker, fiber. Insoluble fiber is not absorbed by the body, but it is removed. As the insoluble fiber passes through our digestive system, it connects to fat molecules and takes them out with it.
Apples are loaded with Vitamin C. Vitamin C plays an important role in our body. Vitamin C is required for essential brain functions. It also helps to maintain the structure of blood vessels and bones in the body. An apple or two a day will give us the majority of our daily dose of Vitamin C. In older women osteoporosis can be an issue but by consuming a healthy amount of Vitamin C this will actually help prevent this condition from happening.
Antioxidants are also contained in apples. Vitamin C is one known antioxidant. Apples also contain some antioxidants that are very unique. One of these antioxidants is called, phloridzin. The antioxidant called a flavonoid helps to reduce bone loss in women who are going through menopause.
Apples contain pectin. Pectin works to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. Bad cholesterol also known as LDL cholesterol increases the chance of plaque formations in the vessels. Too much of this bad cholesterol can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Pectin along with antioxidants works to reduce the amount of LDL. Therefore the vessels maintain their elasticity and prevent the clumping platelets.
Another antioxidant compound that is found in apples is Quercetin. Many researchers believe that it functions to ward off certain diseases and cancers. It's also said to limit the damage caused by free radicals in the body. Free radicals tend to cause all sorts of problems as we age. These antioxidants work to stop that damage and help to restore our bodies to a more healthy state.
Apples contain no cholesterol or fat and a very small amount of sodium. Apples are low in calories and high in fiber. The next time you need a snack or a healthy addition to recipes look no further than the apple orchard.
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