It’s the apple-picking season again. There are many reasons to stock up on apples.
Apples are delicious when eaten alone or added to recipes. They also have many health benefits. Apples have been shown to have many health benefits, including improved digestion and reduced risk of stroke. High blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease are all factors that apples can help with.
Apples may lower high blood pressure and cholesterol
Enjoy a juicy apple, and you can help your body stay healthy. Anzlovar says that studies have shown apple consumption has a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This may be due to the cholesterol-lowering properties of soluble fibre in apples.
According to the Mayo Clinic, soluble fiber is dissolved in water to create a gel-like material. This helps lower the risk of atherosclerosis (restricted blood flow in the arteries because of plaque buildup) as well as heart disease. It may also lower blood pressure. An study showed that higher intakes of soluble fiber were associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk.
Consuming fiber-rich foods, such as apples, can aid digestion
Fiber is great for digestion, as you have probably heard. Harvard Health Publishing states that both types of fiber are essential for digestion. According to the University of Illinois, apples can be both soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber slows down digestion and helps you feel fuller. Insoluble Fiber, which is found in Harvard, can aid with regularity and constipation.
Apples Can Support a Healthy Immune System
Who wouldn’t want to have a stronger immune system heading into autumn? An important tool in your immune-supporting arsenal could be apples.
research on animals showed that soluble fiber converted immune cells that were pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory, and supported them. A second animal study published in May 2018 by the journal Immunity showed that mice were protected against the influenza. It is not clear if these effects will be observed in humans until more research is done.
There are still reasons to believe that Apple may boost immunity. This is partly because they contain immune-boosting Vitamin C. According to research, a November 2017 review in the journal nutrients showed that vitamin C has many roles in supporting the immune system’s function. It strengthens the epithelial barrier (a type of tissue) and protects against environmental oxidative stresses such as radiation pollution.
Apples are a diabetes-friendly fruit
Consider adding some apples to your diet if you suffer from type2 diabetes. Although they are a fruit, it is a common belief that people with diabetes cannot eat fruit .
According to the Mayo Clinic, soluble fiber in apples can slow down the sugar absorption and improve blood sugar levels. A healthy diet rich in insoluble fiber can reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
A study on type 2 diabetes patients published in August 2016 in Experimental Medicine showed that regular consumption of soluble fiber reduced insulin resistance, and increased blood sugar and triglyceride levels.
Antioxidants found in apples may play a role in cancer prevention
Although there is no way to stop cancer completely, it’s possible that apples can help. Anzlovar says that apples may help reduce certain types of cancer. This could be due to the antioxidants in apples. Research indicates that apples contain a high amount of antioxidants. In laboratory studies, these antioxidants were shown to reduce the growth of cancer cells.
