If you haven’t heard the proverb ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ then you surely don’t belong to this planet. Apples are the most incredible and beneficial fruits known to humanity. They are popular not only amongst kids but from people of all ages. It is known to fight obesity, enhance immunity, and what not. So grab an apple or two and put it in your bag as it is the best snack that you can hog on to curb those nasty hunger pangs between meals. But do you know what healthy ways to eat apples are? Read on the find out the best ways in which you can maximize the benefits of apples.
What makes apples so beneficial?
Apples are a rich source of flavonoids and antioxidants, and they help to relieve stress symptoms. During stress, there is a release of reactive oxygen which may cause oxidative damage. The antioxidants scavenge these free radicals and prevent oxidative damage from happening. It thus helps in reducing the occurrence of heart diseases and cancer as well as strokes. It prevents the formation of angiogenesis or formation of thin blood vessels which causes blockage of arteries and may result in stroke due to plaque development. Apples have been ranked as one of the 10 top healthy fruits for your health benefits owing to its array of incredible benefits.
Five Healthy Ways for You to Eat Apples
1. Have apples with oranges
If you are confused between apples and oranges and do not know what to have, let us tell you, it is best to have both. Apples and oranges are known to protect brain cells and neurons and prevent inflammation and brain disorders. The antioxidants present in the apples prevents oxidative stress and damage of neurons. The most abundant antioxidant found in apples is quercetin which reduces instances of cellular death and inflammation and is effective against Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease that consumption of apple leads to a release of neurotransmitter acetylcholine which enhances memory and is effective against neurological disorders such as dementia.
2. Have your apples with green tea
Apple and tea combination can be very different, and you might not have heard of anybody on such a diet. However, it has potential benefits. The antioxidants in tea and apple can blend to inhibit Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). VEGF promotes angiogenesis also known as the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a process that may lead to the spread of cancer, and it has been implicated in strokes as well as it aids in the formation of plaque that causes the arteries to harden and cause a stroke. Apples can be very useful to prevent such diseases when taken together with tea. This method has immense popularity amongst other healthy ways to eat apples. In fact, nutritionists suggest that in order to make apple juice and green tea work together for effective weight loss, drink a cup of apple juice preferably 15-20 minutes before meals.
3. Have your apples with chocolate
Again, a different combination, however, both apples and chocolates are rich in antioxidants. Apples have the active constituent quercetin while chocolates have catechin which can blend and help to prevent clot formation by acting on collagen molecules. Research with the two flavonoids on clot formation due to collagen release suggested their potential in preventing clot formation. The damage of blood vessels releases collagen into the bloodstream which results in clot and can be a possible reason for stroke or heart attacks. The combination of quercetin and catechin prevents the interaction of collagen with clot-forming blood platelets and can be useful in preventing strokes.
4. Have apples and cheese
Besides health benefits, chewing apples is beneficial for your teeth as well. It quenches the acidity of plaques and flushes the mouth of food particles that may have remained stuck between your teeth or of bacteria which can be removed by saliva (3). Saliva also has an alkaline pH and can help in preventing the acidity of the plaque build- up. Bacteria can destroy the enamel which is the outermost coating of the teeth and result in the formation of plaque which may develop cavities and damage the root nerves. Cheese also contains alkaloid tyramine which neutralizes the acidity of the plaque, and the combination of apple and cheese may be one of the five healthy ways to eat your apples.
5. Have at least one apple in a day
The consumption of white fruit such as apples can help you to cure hypertension naturally, strokes, diabetes, brain disorders, memory loss and dementia. A simple fruit stacked with antioxidants and flavonoids can take care of all the normal processes of the body. It is a fruit which is rich in fiber content and can be very useful in enhancing the growth of gut-friendly bacteria which will help in digestion and keeping the appetite strong. It is a fruit which you can have after lunch and will keep the cravings for fast food away. It helps in preventing the deposition of fat and maintaining a healthy body. It gets especially recommended for people with heart disease and hypertension (5) to have an apple as it improves heart health and blood circulation. It keeps the blood sugar levels in check and is beneficial to prevent diabetes as it caters to your sweet tooth but in a controlled level.
Conclusion
The antioxidant and flavonoid content of apples can be very useful in preventing neurological disorders and heart disease. It helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system and keeping the enzymatic processes active. It is one of those white fleshy fruits which can find its way quickly into your diet and will help in maintaining balanced processes in your body. One of the five healthy ways to eat apples could be mixing it in salad and having it as a delicious food together with lunch or post lunch. It works well to curb your cravings for fast food and maintains the health of your teeth as well. So, have more apples and stay healthy and fit.
Author Bio:
Dr.Sohil is a health professional who has an undying love for writing and an immense need to empower people with knowledge about home remedies, natural cure, fitness, and power yoga. He is someone who follows what he preaches and who has contributed a lot of medical articles for many a website, primarily to www.howtocure.com. In his free time, you can find him catching up with movies, going to treks and spending time with his dog.