Benefits of Apples:

Apples are not only delicious, but they are chock-full of amazing health benefits that can be quite advantageous to your well-being.

As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and in this case that saying just might be true! Take a look at these 7 amazing health benefits of apples and start incorporating them into your daily diet as soon as possible. You’ll be glad you did!

1) Vitamins and Minerals

When you’re feeling a bit run down, reach for an apple instead of a candy bar. Filled with vitamins and minerals, apples can help support your immune system and keep your body fit from within.

Need some convincing? Consider these seven amazing health benefits of apples.

Eat them to improve brain function – People who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of their regular diet are at lower risk for cognitive decline.
Eat them to reduce your risk of cancer – Apples contain antioxidant compounds that may prevent damage to cells, which helps protect against cancers like breast cancer.
Eat them to lose weight – Although it may not be one of their most obvious benefits, apples can help you lose weight because they are high in fiber but low in calories and fat.
Eat them to boost athletic performance – Research shows that eating just one apple before exercise improves endurance performance by nearly 20 percent!
Eat them for better vision – The antioxidants in apples may also protect against macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness among older adults.

2) Polyphenols for Protection

The high concentration of polyphenols in apples has been shown to reduce brain cell death, which slows down cognitive decline.

Regular consumption also helps keep your heart healthy and lowers bad cholesterol, preventing heart disease and stroke. Additionally, studies have shown that consuming apples can help lower blood pressure.

They’re also packed with fiber, which fills you up without adding a lot of calories. This can make you feel fuller longer between meals and prevent you from overeating.

3) Fiber for Cleansing

While we don’t normally think of fiber as a way to detox, apples actually act as a laxative and can help clean out your digestive tract. Other studies have shown that apples help prevent constipation and regularity problems.

While apple juice is fine in moderation, it’s important to note that most apple juices you buy at grocery stores have been pasteurized and filtered—which removes much of their nutritional value.

It’s best to stick with organic apple juice or whole apples for maximum benefit. And don’t forget about snacks like peanut butter sandwiches on whole-wheat bread: two slices contain five grams of fiber!

4) Phytonutrients for Longevity

A large body of research points to anthocyanins, flavonoids and other phytonutrients found in apples as powerful antioxidants, able to scavenge for free radicals that can damage cell membranes, fats and proteins.

Not only does their antioxidant activity prevent some of these cellular changes from taking place, but it also has been linked to longer lifespan in humans.

Researchers at Michigan State University found that those who ate a diet rich in flavonoids had a significantly higher life expectancy than those who didn’t. Add apples to your daily diet and reap their health benefits.

5) Probiotics for Digestion

A large percentage of your immune system is in your gut. Supporting that system by increasing good bacteria through probiotics can help boost your immune function and prevent disease.

An apple a day may keep disease at bay, and help you stay healthy all year long! In fact, there are a lot of health benefits linked to apples because they’re rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

6) Protein for Strength

Though we associate protein with muscle, it’s also important for bone and skin health. The same way your biceps are filled with muscle, your bones are made up of protein fibers called collagen.

According to recent research in Osteoporosis International, consuming just one apple every day can help strengthen bones because it’s rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and quercetin.

Since apples have so much fiber, they can help reduce cholesterol and keep you full between meals—the longer you feel satiated after a meal, the less likely you’ll be to overeat later on.

7) Deliciousness to Satisfy Your Taste Buds

Just about everyone loves apples. These fruits are highly versatile, whether you’re snacking on them raw or tossing them into your favorite recipe.

In addition to being easy to prepare and a good source of fiber, apples can provide several health benefits. Here are just seven reasons why we love apples.

One serving of apples gives you 95 percent of your daily recommended intake (RDI) for vitamin C, which has many functions in your body.

This includes reducing signs of aging, boosting immunity and protecting against damage from free radicals — harmful molecules in our bodies that cause oxidative stress, cell damage and tissue death.

Additionally, the antioxidants found in apples may help reduce inflammation-related diseases such as asthma and even cancer risk. An apple a day might be one simple way to keep wrinkles at bay!