Benefits of Apples

There is an old saying that goes, "To eat an apple going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread." The saying is justified by the apple's many health-promoting properties. Fossil remains show that apples were gathered and stored 5,000 years ago. It is likely that they were already cultivated during the Neolithic times. Interestingly, apples are members of the rose family.

Apples are excellent detoxifiers. Apple juice can destroy viruses in the body. In one recent study, Riu Hai Liu of Cornell University found that although apples contain only a small amount of Vitamin C, eating 100 g of apple provides the same antioxidant activity as taking 1,500 mg of the vitamin.

Apples are great snacks. Only make sure not to ingest too many apple seeds; these are toxic if taken in large amounts.

Benefits of Apples

• Apples clean the teeth and strengthen the gums.
  
  
• Apples reduce cholesterol levels.
  
  
• They detoxify the body and have antiviral properties.
  
  
• Apples prevent constipation because they aid digestion.
  
  
• One large apple supplies almost 30 percent of the minimum amount of fiber that should be consumed daily.

Uses of Apples

• Eating apples regularly aids healing in patients of gout and rheumatism.
  
  
• Eating two apples a day will reduce your cholesterol levels up to 10 percent.
  
  
• Drinking apple juice thrice a day is said to prevent viruses from settling in the body.
  
  
• Apples are good for digestion. If you suffer from indigestion, eat apples before meals.
  
  
• Grated apple mixed with yogurt is helpful in cases of diarrhea.

Tips

• Never buy apples that have not been kept cold since they can become over-ripe in a few days.
  
  
• Apples should be hard. If you can dent an apple with your finger, do not buy it.
  
  
• Keep your apples refrigerated. Otherwise, they will decay fast.
  
  
• To prevent browning, rub the cut surfaces with a mixture of lemon juice and water.
  
  
• Canadian researchers analyzing eight popular varieties found that the old standby, Red Delicious, and an apple called Northern Spy contain more disease-fighting antioxidants in their skin and flesh than any others that were studied. This means red apples are better than other kinds.

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