Why Are Apples So Healthy?
We all know that old saying: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
But have
you ever wondered why that is? How one apple a day can bring about
significant health benefits? If you have, then you'll be glad to read
this article. From strengthening the immune system, through preventing
cancerous growths and to losing weight, say hello to your one apple a
day!
How do apples do what they do?
An important research published in
2008 by the German cancer research center, showed that apples offer a
significant health advantage. When comparing between a group that had
less than one apple per day and a group that had one or more apples a
day, the latter was found to have less risk of mouth cancer, larynx
cancer, breast cancer, intestinal cancer, kidney cancer and ovarian
cancer.
These findings support a new research
performed at Cornell university, showing that the peel of the apple has
strong anti-oxidant properties, a powerful block against the influences
of breast cancer cells. Researchers found that the higher the
concentraion of apples, the lower the concentration of cancerous cells.
Cancerous growths are uncontrollable
growths of cells independently spreading through the body. The growths
are based on three principal levels: The first stage causes mutations in
cell DNA. The second, when the growth becomes malignant and grows
faster, and finally when it metastases and spreads throughout the body.
In the case of a cancerous growth,
apples aren't only used as anti-oxidants, but also improve the function
of the immune system, which helps clean out the growths at the early
stages.
In addition to boosting the immune
system and fighting cancerous growths, apples also help control the
levels of cholesterol and sugars in the blood, prevent heart disease and
improve mouth hygiene. The fact that they contain more than 80% water
and a long line of essential vitamins, makes them one of the healthiest
foods available.
The secret is in the nutritional fibers
Apples are considered a vital source
of nutritional fibers. Eating one apple a day (with peel) can award us
about 4.4 grams of nutritional fibers, which is 1/5 of our entire day's
recommended amount.
Nutritional fibers are materials
found in foods that come from plants, and have a very important role in
stimulating the digestive system and encouraging its function. Since
they are not digested and taken apart in the body, they sate our hunger
for a longer period of time. Extensive research has shown that those
that do not get their daily recommended amount (at least 25 grams a
day), deny themselves a host of health benefits. In addition, the
researchers found that consuming these fibers is quite the effective
method of losing weight.
The secret is in the chewing.
Drinking apple juice will not bring about the same health benefits. We'd
be happy to receive the essential sugars and vitamins, but we would not
get the fibers.
A research conducted in China found that chewing can help the body regulate the amount of calories it absorbs from food.
What does this have to do with apples?
Everything. Apples are a terrific
source of nutritional fibers, especially a group of fibers called
Pectin. This is a group of complex carbohydrates that regulate our
bowels, improve good cholesterol rates and is a powerful anti-oxidant
and anti-bacterial.
Researchers from UCLA have shown that
consuming pectin instead of regular fibers, doubles the time it takes
the stomach to empty from one hour to two. Meaning that we don't feel
hungry for a longer time. In fact, a recent research paper entitled:
"Weight Loss Associated with a Daily Intake of Three Apples or Three
Pears among Overweight Women", shows that women suffering from
overweight and were instructed to eat an apple or pear before each meal,
lost significant weight, just for doing so. The women in the experiment
were asked to eat regularly and just add the apple before the meal.
What happened was that the apples and fibers crowded the stomach,
increased the feeling of being full, and made the body absorb less
calories.
Other sources of nutritional fibers
are: Pears, Peaches, peas, carrots, seeds, nuts, peel of fruits and
vegetables, legumes, whole grains, oats and whole wheat. But apples
offer many more advantages.
So if you want to:
Lose weight, eat one apple a day.
Strengthen your immune system, eat one apple a day.
Control the level of cholesterol, eat one apple a day.
Prevent the spread of cancerous cells, eat one apple a day.
And if you want to keep the doctor away - EAT ONE APPLE A DAY!
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