Top 5 Health Benefits of Apple!

'Tis the season for apple pickin’!  Fall is finally upon us, and if the season were to have a spirit fruit, it most definitely would be apple.  In the juicing world, apple is the most prevalent ingredient, by far, but some people try to avoid it for its sugar content.  It’s always wise to use moderation with sugar, but apples have a lot more to offer nutritionally, including a wide range of antioxidants.  Here are the top 5 health benefits of apple:

1. Fights Cancer:  Apples contain a variety of antioxidants, including quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid, all of which neutralize free radicals and help prevent cancerous cells from forming. In a Finnish study of 10,000 subjects spanning 24 years, apple consumption was found to decrease the risk of lung cancer.  This correlation was believed to be due to apple being the population’s main source of quercetin.
2. Promotes Cardiovascular Health:  In a comprehensive survey by The Women’s Health Study, apples were found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in women by close to 25%.
3. Bolsters Healthy Circulation:  Freeze-dried apples, despite having a reduced nutritional content compared to fresh apples, have been shown to reduce the concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood.  LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, can cause arteries to develop plaque buildup, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
4. Supports Asthma Prevention:  Eating apples is thought to contribute to proper lung function and a decrease in bronchial sensitivity and asthma risk, which may be due to its catechin content.
5. Assists Weight Loss: A study in Brazil showed that women with high cholesterol had significant reductions in weight and blood glucose levels after a 3 month period of consuming 3 apples daily.

Although its mechanisms have yet to be defined, an apple a day really may keep the doctor away!  So the next time you’re in a juice. Nashville shop, treat yourself to an apple-licious.. Cheers to autumn and antioxidants, ya’ll!

-Michael Guido, Juice Ambassador, BA Biological Sciences, University of Chicago

References:

1. Knekt P, Järvinen R, Seppänen R, et al.  Dietary flavonoids and the risk of lung cancer and other malignant neoplasms.
2. Sesso HD, Gaziano JM, Liu S, Buring JE. Flavonoid intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease in women.
3. Aprikian O, Busserolles J, Manach C, et al.  Lyophilized apple counteracts the development of hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress, and renal dysfunction in obese Zucker rats.
4. Woods RK, Walters EH, Raven JM, et al.  Food and nutrient intakes and asthma risk in young adults.
5. Conceição de Oliveira M, Sichieri R, Sanchez Moura A.  Weight loss associated with a daily intake of three apples or three pears among overweight women.