Originally published February 1 2010
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
by Brett Brown
(NaturalNews) An apple a day keeps the doctor away! This is a saying that has stayed with us for many years. It is believed to have come from an ancient Roman proverb. The Romans truly believed the apple had magical powers to cure illnesses. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why this might be true.
Antioxidants and Vitamin C
Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C within our bodies like other mammals, so it is essential that we find a good food source of this vitamin. Apples are one of these foods. Vitamin C is well known for preventing scurvy through the use of limes by the British Navy during 1795. It is also well known that vitamin C has many immune system enhancing properties and is therefore essential to our daily health. Vitamin C is a superb antioxidant, and is essential for cell detoxification and enzymatic function.
Apples also contain bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids are also known for their antioxidant properties. Bioflavonoids are also believed to be of use in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancers by inducing mechanisms that help to kill cancer cells and inhibit tumor invasion.
Apples actually contain a long list of phytonutrients including quercetin, catechin, phlorizin and chlorogenic acid. It is important to know however that many of the nutrients of an apple are contained within the apple's skin, so be sure not to skin your apples before consuming them.
Fiber
One apple, depending on the type and size, typically contains about 4 grams of dietary fiber per five ounce apple. This equates to approximately 15% of your recommended daily intake. Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber in the form of cellulose and pectin. Both of these fibers have been documented to reduce and keep your LDL cholesterol levels under control.
Research done in Japan has shown that apple pectin can help decrease the chance of obtaining colon cancer. Pectin is also effective in causing regressions in and prevention of gallstones.
Asthma and Lung Support
Unique to apples is a crucial flavonoid called phlorizin. Phlorizin is believed to be important in the support of asthma and lung support, even more so than some of the other citrus fruits that are known to be helpful.
So with all of this information we can see how the saying could have easily come about. Although not one of the more exotic or expensive rare fruits or superfoods on the planet, apples truly can be a benefit to our daily diet. An apple a day can definitely help keep the doctors away, and that my friend is tasty!
Resources:
http://www.nutrasanus.com/apple-pectin.html
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/a0769301.htm...
http://www.bspcn.com/2007/08/05/9-reasons-wh...
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspi...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
About the author
Brett Brown is a contributing journalist with a strong desire to help others receive factual information in the health industry.
He also writes for and updates his own blog on a regular basis which can be found at: http://rawhealthforce.blogspot.com
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