Health
Live Well: An Apple a Day
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"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Remember hearing this from your parents? Is it true? The fact is there’s nothing you can eat, say or do that will absolutely insure you’ll never have to see a doctor. However, experts will tell you there’s plenty of evidence to suggest eating apples can be good for your health. If an apple came with a nutrition label it would show that it contains a lot of things people need to stay well. Pectin tops the list. Pectin is a form of soluble fiber that research shows can help lower blood pressure and levels of LDL, AKA the "bad" cholesterol that leads to clogged arteries and heart attacks. Pectin also helps maintain a healthy digestive system.
Boron would be next on an apple’s nutrition label. It’s a nutrient that supports strong bones and a healthy brain. Under that you’d see Quercetin which is a substance that’s been linked to a lower risk of breast and lung cancer. Scientists say Quercitin may protect you at the cellular level reducing the risk of age-related problems like Alzheimer’s disease.
Odds are when you think of vitamin C, oranges are the first fruit to come to mind. Turns out, apples are also a great source of vitamin C which is known to improve immunity. Any nutrition label placed on an apple would also list vitamins A, E, beta carotene and the mineral potassium. All have been shown to guard against conditions like heart disease, diabetes and asthma.
If you’re into competitive activities like running, colleague and Certified Athletic Trainer Erik Strahan, DPT says, “An apple a day could help you make it across the finish line or even shave some seconds off your time. That because apples are chocked full vitamins, minerals and good carbs that can provide a person with a quick jolt of energy.”
Finally, any nutrition label you’d find on an apple would show that it is high in fiber which means it can be good for your waistline. Some say eating three apples a day can even help you shed pounds. It’s because they make you feel full, which makes you less likely to eat a bunch of junk between meals.
So there you have it. Eating an apple a day may not guarantee you’ll never have to see a doctor, but the nutrients it contains could lower your odds of getting some of the serious illnesses that would send you to one.
Phil Rainier is Director of Marketing and Communications at Central Physical Therapy. His column is intended as medical advice. If you’d like to contact Phil, his e-mail address is [email protected].
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