A spoonful of sugar might help the medicine go down, but recent research shows that a daily bite of a well-known fruit could actually keep your prescription consumption down! The secret weapon is none other than the humble apple. So let’s dig deeper into how this superfruit can benefit your health and potentially trump conventional medicine.
When researchers at the University of Michigan School of Nursing examined the statistics that measured the health of apple-eaters and non-apple eaters, they discovered that people who ate apples required fewer prescription medications. It’s interesting to note that 90 percent of Americans never eat an apple, even though they are tasty, convenient for snacking on, and packed full of valuable micronutrients that most of us don’t get enough of.
The study also found that people who ate apples were less likely to smoke and had higher levels of education. While the research didn’t show any concrete evidence that eating apples keeps the doctor away – apple eaters reported going to the doctor just as much as those who didn’t eat apples – the fact that apple-eaters were taking fewer medications suggests that doctors must have been writing them fewer prescriptions. In conclusion, the study suggests that there may be merit to the saying, “An apple a day keeps the pharmacist away.”
Eat Organic Apples for Maximum Health Benefits
To maximize the health benefits from your apples, the first tip is to opt for organic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration compiled a “dirty dozen” list of popular fresh produce items, ranked by the amount of pesticide residue found in each food item. Apples were unfortunately at the top of that list, meaning non-organic apples were found to contain the most pesticide residue out of 48 other foods tested. Therefore, it’s crucial for your health to choose organic apples instead.
Don’t Forget the Skins!
The second tip to get the most health benefits from apples is to eat them with their skins on. The reason for this is that apple skins contain various important health-boosting natural chemicals such as resveratrol and quercetin:
- Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that has been linked to better heart health. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent blood clots. In addition, studies have shown that resveratrol may trigger the ‘fountain of youth’ gene in people, possibly promoting longevity.
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Quercetin is a flavonoid and a powerful antioxidant present in the skin of apples. It plays an important role in increasing stamina and energy levels, and has been found to improve sports performance by promoting better endurance during physical activities. Furthermore, quercetin also possesses potential anti-inflammatory and immune system-boosting properties.
Apples also contain other related phytonutrients that are believed to contribute to an increased life expectancy.
Incorporating Apples into Your Diet
Consuming apples as a snack is an obvious way to include them in your diet, but they can also be used in various dishes to amp up the flavor and nutritional content. For example, toss diced apples into salads, bake an apple crisp for a healthier dessert, or even try using applesauce to make your favorite recipes lower in fat and calories.
In Conclusion: An Apple a Day
While apples alone are not a miracle cure for all illnesses, they do offer a range of health benefits that can contribute to improved overall health and potentially reduce our reliance on prescription medications. By incorporating apples into our daily diets, especially organic apples with their skins on, we can increase our nutrient intake, support our immune systems, and improve our heart health – and perhaps keep ourselves a little further away from the pharmacist. So, go ahead and enjoy an apple a day, knowing that you are giving your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong.
