We’ve all grown up hearing the expression, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ But how do we know it’s not just another thing our parents said to get us to eat our fruits and vegetables? Research tells us that although an apple a day will not guarantee to keep the doctor away every single day, it will definitely keep ushealthy in the long-run.
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The benefits of eating an apple
Apples are highly nutritious fruits that are packed with vitamin C, potassium, fibre, and flavonoids. Studies have shown that flavonoids can improveheart healthand prevent cancer formations. The soluble fibre present in the fruit protects the heart even further by decreasingblood pressure and regulating cholesterol levels.
A study done at the Washington State University (WSU) has also revealed that an apple a day could keep obesity away. Researchers discovered that a non-digestible compound found in apples contributes to the the growth of good gut bacteria. This bacteria then wards off harmful bacteria and maintains a healthy gut. Guiliana Noratto from WSU’s department of food sciences said:
Obese people have an out-of-balance gut. So changing our gut bacteria via what we eat, making it similar to that of a lean person, could help prevent weight gain.
Now that we’ve established that eating apples is good for you, don’t go crazy with the apples. Remember, everything in moderation.
Can you eat more than one apple a day?
Eating one apple a day is extremely beneficial and safe. According to the NHS, eating two apples a day can slash your cholesterol levels by 4%. Another study found that eating three apples or pears a day helps overweight women lose weight. But you might want to stop there.
As mentioned before, apples are rich in fibre and consuming too much fibre causes gas, bloating, and stomach problems.
