The familiar expression “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is by no means a myth or exaggeration. It has been proven that apples are the super fruit of all time. Power-packed with various vitamins, dietary fibres, phytonutrients, antioxidants, flavonoids, and more, apples are as indispensable to healthy living as water is to the human body. Defined as a sweet, edible fruit produced by an apple tree, apples are greatly beneficial to our health.
Some of the benefits of eating apples every day include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Reduces the risk and may help cure diabetes: Apples are rich in soluble fibres that help fight off oxygen-free radicals, which can cause diabetes, and are key to blunting blood sugar swings.
2. Cures irritable bowel syndrome: Apples can help regulate and, in time, completely cure IBS symptoms, which include constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal pain.
3. Helps to detoxify the liver: In today’s world, we constantly consume or come into contact with toxins. The liver’s primary function is to flush out these toxins, and apples are great for its detoxification due to the vitamins, minerals, and fibre they contain.
4. Aids in preventing cataracts: Some studies indicate that people who consume fruits containing antioxidants, like apples, daily are 15% less likely to develop cataracts.
5. Helps prevent haemorrhoids: Haemorrhoids result from swollen veins in the anal canal due to excessive pressure on the pelvic and rectal areas. Pregnant women are commonly at risk, but a daily intake of apples can reduce strain and effort.
6. Promotes weight loss: Apples are particularly filling due to their high fibre content, which aids in shedding unhealthy fat or weight.
7. Promotes gut health: The fibre in apples feeds good bacteria, protecting individuals against obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
8. Prevents cancer: Studies have linked eating apples to a lower risk of cancer.
9. Promotes healthy hair growth: Apples contain a compound called procyanidin B-2, which stimulates hair growth and thickens hair. This also alleviates male baldness and prevents hair loss.
10. Serves as a toner: Raw apple pulp and apple cider vinegar can serve as an organic toner that aids in tightening facial skin and stimulating blood circulation to the skin’s surface.
11. Brightens complexion: Apples have a high content of collagen and elastin, which are great for achieving flawless, youthful skin.
12. Prevents brain cell damage: Apples contain quercetin, an active phytonutrient that promotes cellular health. The free-radical-eliminating properties in Bramley apples can help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.
