Known for their sweet taste, apples are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. Research has shown that apples provide many health benefits, possibly reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Couple the health benefits with their desirable taste, and it’s easy to see why apples are a popular snack and used in a variety of recipes.
? Apples score relatively low on both the glycemic index (GI) and the glycemic load (GL) scales, 39 and 5 respectively, meaning that they have minimal effect on blood sugar levels and are unlikely to cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, even in those with diabetes. Source: healthline.com
? Consuming antioxidant-rich foods may help prevent the oxidative stress that causes cell damage and may lead to the development of certain cancers. Apples are a good source of antioxidants. Source: medicalnewstoday.com
? Research has shown that eating apples daily appeared to lower levels of cholesterol and two other markers associated with plaques and inflammation in artery walls. Source: webmd.com
? Apples contain bioactive compounds that may help promote healthful gut bacteria, which may help optimize the health of people with obesity. In addition, fiber can also help a person feel full for longer, making them less likely to overeat. Source: medicalnewstoday.com
? Want more apple scoop? Here are a few fun facts:
-The average person eats 65 apples a year.
-Apples are members of the rose family.
-It takes about 36 apples to make one gallon of apple cider.
-Apples float because 25% of their volume is air, making them ideal for bobbing.
-The average apple has 10 seeds.
-There are more than 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States, and they come in all shades of red, green and yellow.
By Lindsay McDonald
P.S. Try these delicious apple recipes — dutch baby with sautéed apples or fall sausage with apple saute.
Leave a Reply