Health Benefits of Apples

What’s high on America’s list of top health concerns? COVID-19 aside, the usual suspects probably won’t be much of a surprise to you: they include cancer, heart disease, diabetes (particularly Type II), dementia and obesity. But it may surprise you to learn that the apple – a common fruit – can go far towards helping to prevent all of these issues when made a regular part of your diet.

If you’ve ever sent apple gift baskets from Pittman & Davis to your friends and loved ones, you probably got rave reviews, and no wonder – our apples are sweet, crispy, and oh-so-satisfying. But apple fruit baskets aren’t just about flavor – they’re about good health, too. Read on to learn about America’s top 5 health concerns, and how apples can benefit you:

Health Concern #1: Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. There are many types of cancer, all serious, but some types more serious than others. Statistics show that 1 in 3 Americans will suffer some form of cancer in their lifetime.

How Apples Can Help:

When Benjamin Franklin declared that eating an apple a day would keep the doctor away, he may have had cancer in mind. Studies show that eating an apple a day can lower your risk of many types of cancer (including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer). That’s because apples are packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants (mostly in the peel, so be sure you eat that along with the flesh).

Health Concern #2: Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack.

How Apples Can Help:

Foods that are high in fiber (like apples) are proven to improve your cholesterol levels, lowering LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol and increasing HDL (or “good) cholesterol. If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you’d do well to add an apple (or, preferably, two) to your diet each day – good results can turn up in as little as two months. Don’t try to replace the apples with whole grain breads and expect to get the same results, though – apples also contain polyphenols, which work with the fiber to make the fruit even more efficient at getting your cholesterol levels down. So if there’s someone in your life who is close to your heart, help protect their heart with a gift of fresh apples online from Pittman & Davis!

Health Concern #3: Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Diabetes affects how and the amount of insulin a person’s body makes. Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to many serious health problems, including heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. Approximately 1 in 3 Americans suffers from pre-diabetes.

How Apples Can Help:

The numbers speak for themselves. In an extensive review of studies, Tufts researchers noted a strong association of apple eating with diabetes prevention, finding that people who ate one or more apples a day had up to a 23% lower risk of type 2 diabetes than non-apple eaters. In another study of more than 38,000 healthy women, those who ate one or more apples a day had a 28 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes than the non-apple eaters. And in a review of data from more than 187,000 people involved in three long-term studies, Harvard researchers found that people who ate at least two servings a week of blueberries, grapes and, yup, apples lowered their diabetes risk by 23 percent, compared to people who had one serving or less a month. Experts say the fruit’s fiber helps stabilize blood sugar. Flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, also play an important role.

Health Concern #4: Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. About 1 in 9 Americans aged 65 or older has Alzheimer’s Disease.

How Apples Can Help:

Studies show that adults who eat a diet low in fatty and non-processed foods and high in fruits and vegetables (including apples) lower their risk of dementia by 30-35%. In fact, there’s evidence that the effect is cumulative – research is ongoing, but it appears that switching to a plant-based diet can actually improve your cognitive skills over time. So if you have an elderly relative you’re concerned for, an apples gift is a good choice any time of the year.

Health Concern #5: Obesity

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern. It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. Over 40% of the US population is obese (this includes children).

How Apples Can Help:

At around 100 calories, eating a whole, medium apple won’t make much of a caloric dent in your daily food plan, but it will help you feel full. This is due in part to the fruit’s high-fiber content. Also, a sweet, crispy apple can help satisfy your sweet tooth, so you don’t feel deprived. If you know someone who is trying to watch his or her weight, a gift of gourmet apples is sure to be more appreciated than chocolate – shop apples online at Pittman & Davis!