Apple season is upon us in the great Northwest and oh how delicious it is! Here in the Northwest we are blessed with an abundance of varieties of tasty, healthy apples to fill our bellies- our farmer’s markets are overflowing with them. We have all heard the old adage, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” but I wondered what are the actual benefits of eating apples.
One medium apple has less than 100 calories and over 11% of your daily vitamin C needs, making it an important tool in your weight loss tool box.
Red delicious and Granny Smith apples rank in the top fifteen foods antioxidant concentration per serving size according to a study by USDA scientists. These antioxidants are important for fighting free radical damage to cells and to prevent aging.
A medium-sized apple offers about four grams of constipation busting fiber. This fiber is also important for balancing blood sugar to reduce your risk of diabetes.
Apples may help fight tooth decay because chewing these fiber rich fruits helps stimulate saliva production, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria on your teeth.
Apple skins contain a compound that prevents the cholesterol that gets into your system from solidifying on your artery walls, reducing your risk of heart disease.
With all these amazing health benefits wrapped in such a small package, you would be foolish not to stock up on these bundles of deliciousness.
Photo from flickr.
