There are many benefits of apples, some of which benefit the brain, prevent diseases, and more!
Growing up your heard the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” but are you really aware of the health benefits of apples and what is the apple nutritional information?
Apples not only benefit the brain and help prevent many diseases, but they are also high in antioxidants and fiber. This article not only talks about apple benefits for brain health but also how apples can help you live longer.
There are just a couple potentially negative sides to apples that we will also touch on, but the good outweighs the bad when it comes to health benefits of apples.
Apple benefits for brain health include reduction of cellular death because the antioxidants found in apples help stop, or reduce oxidation and inflammation of neurons. Apples can also help memory in those who have Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming apples in various forms can have benefits for your brain, the majority of the nutrients are in the skin and the actual fruit but also drinking it as a juice can help mental decline. Apples help preserve acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter and low levels of this neurotransmitter can lead to dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Apples benefits for brain health are prominent whether you are eating the fruit or drinking its juice but you will receive the most benefits by eating the fruit itself.
Apple Nutritional Information
When following a 2,000 calorie diet you should be eating around 2 cups of fruit a day and an apple is about 1.5 cups of fruit. A medium apple nutritional information is as follows:
- Calories – 95
- Carbohydrates – 25 grams
- Fiber – 4 grams
Although apples are high in carbohydrates they are low on the glycemic index which is a good thing for diabetics or pre-diabetics. The glycemic index shows how food changes blood sugar levels and eating something low on the glycemic index is good for keeping blood sugar levels low. This makes another one of the health benefits of apples being: great for diabetics. Apples are not only a good food to diabetics to eat but can also reduce your risk of diabetes due to their antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Apples
Apples are another great source of fiber which can lead to a healthy gut. Since apples contain around 4 grams of fiber, that plays a role in 17% of the daily recommended intake of fiber. Fiber has a positive effect on the good bacteria in the intestine and can have a sort of prebiotic effect helping certain healthy compounds circulate through the body.
Apples can help with weight loss. Apples have a lot of fiber and energy making them a great weight loss friendly food or snack. When you have an apple a day you are nourishing your body and helping it lower the calorie intake leading to you feeling fuller and help you lose weight.
Apples can help your heart. Apples not only help lower the risk of heart disease but they also can help reduce cholesterol levels. Thanks to the antioxidants as well as the fiber, apples promote heart health in many ways.
Apple can reduce the risk of cancer. Again, thanks to the antioxidants in apples and apple juice as well as the natural compounds in apples, they can help lower the risk of cancer as well as combat the disease.
Antioxidants are a reoccurring substance found in apples that provide numerous health benefits making apples a great food for your health. If you are unsure what an antioxidant is, here is the definition “an antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.”
The great things about apples is that they are easily accessible, cheap and a delicious snack. Next time you’re hungry choose an apple, your body will thank you.
references:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/apples
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267290.php