Food

After an ode to bananas, thought it would only be fair if we did the same for apples. Here’s what I found out after googling uses and benefits of apples.

Apples are a good source of potassium, folic acid, vitamin C, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and contain trace amounts of zinc. They are also rich source of flavonoid and polyphenols, which are both powerful antioxidants. According to a study conducted by Cornell University, by eating only 100g of an apple can give an antioxidant effect that equals 1,500mg of Vitamin C.

In North America, apples are the second most valuable fruit grown. The first is oranges.

Asthma

Researchers in Australia showed that apple consumption had a role in lowering the risk of asthma in young adults. The main flavanoid found in apples, quercetin, can protect the lungs from atmospheric pollutants such as cigarette smoke by reducing the number of harmful free radicals that damage the exposed inside tissue.

Heart Disease

The UK’s Institute of Food Research’s website states that low doses of flavanoid, which is found in apples, lowers the risk of heart disease. Quercetin, also contained in the peel, helps prevent chronic inflammation that could lead to cardiovascular disease by the action of quercetin on the cells lining the blood vessels.

Memory

The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reports that after lab tests, mice that were fed concentrated apple juice performed better in a maze and their brains had less oxidative damage. The amount of antioxidants found in apple juice helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.

Weight control

Apples are a good source of soluble fiber and when taken with water forms a gummy mass in our stomach that makes us feel full.

Hangovers

If you don’t have time to make a banana milkshake, eat an apple on an empty stomach the day after drinking. It is another effective remedy.

Gout and Rheumatism

Eating an apple regularly will aid in the healing process.

Scurvy

An apple is the most reliable anti-scorbutic fruit for relieving scurvy.

Cholesterol

Eat 2 apples a day to reduce your cholesterol level of up to 10%.

Common cold

Drinking apple juice three times daily can prevent a virus from settling in your body.

Indigestion

Eat an apple before meals if you have problems with your stomach. Apples contain malic acid and tartaric acid that help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion.

Diarrhea

Grate an apple and mix it with yogurt to make it more effective in battling diarrhea.

Kidney stone

Apple cider vinegar can help to prevent the formation of a kidney stone.

Intestine

An apple’s skin contains pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps in preventing protein matter in the intestine from spoiling.

PMS

Forget the bill- eat an apple. Fresh vegetables that are high in nutrients reduce PMS-related blood sugar and mood swings. Fruits such as apples and pears that contain fiber and less sugar help ease the heavy flow premenstrual symptoms. (TMI? Probably, but good to let the ladies know)

Ripening

An apple’s ethylene gas will help pears and avocados ripen if they’re placed together in a loosely closed paper bag.

Brown sugar

If your brown sugar becomes hard, place a few apple slices in the container and seal it. After a couple of days, it will be loose again.

So go eat some apples!

(If you find more interesting facts, let me know and I’ll add it to this list.)