Top 6 Health Benefits of Eating Apples

‘Tis the season of sweaters, scarves, pumpkins, ghosts, goblins, and our favorite - apples. Now that September is finally here and we’re getting ready to transition from summer to fall, it’s time to start planning all of those awesome fall activities you’ve been looking forward to for months - does apple picking tickle your fancy?

Whether you’re going to be picking the finest apples off of nearby trees or not this season, there’s one thing that applies to everyone, and that’s the fact that apples are super good for you! Why? Let’s take a look:

1. Apples may help with weight loss. If you’ve been trying every diet possible but aren’t seeing any results, add apples to the list of foods that you eat. Some sources suggest that dried apples in particular have proven to help people lose weight, but either way, having apples in your diet just might help you on your weight loss journey.
2. Apples can help prevent high blood pressure. Apples are known for being high in potassium, and if you didn’t already know, potassium can help keep your blood pressure in check. That said, eating apples are a great way to help regulate your blood pressure and keep it at a healthy level. An added bonus here is that as they help with your blood pressure, they also help reduce your risk of stroke.
3. Apples can help lower your cholesterol. We’re sure you’ve heard how important it is to keep your cholesterol at a healthy level, and eating apples can help you do just that. That’s because apples are packed with pectin, which is a soluble fibre that helps keep cholesterol from building up in the lining of your blood vessel’s walls. By lowering your cholesterol, apples also help you reduce your risk of heart disease.
4. Apples may improve your lungs’ health. If you’re really into apples and can commit to eating five or more a week, you may find that your lungs function better. This is a result of quercetin, which is an antioxidant that can be found in the skin of an apple. Speaking of lung function and breathing, research also shows that apples can have a positive impact on people who suffer from asthma.
5. Apples can improve your endurance. Have trouble getting through a workout? Try eating an apple before you hit the streets for a run or head to the gym to lift weights. The antioxidant quercetin comes up again here - this makes oxygen more available to your lungs, and thus boosts the endurance you have while exercising!
6. Applies may help prevent metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is described as a cluster of symptoms that has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. EatingWell reports that one study showed that people who had eaten apples the day before were 27 percent less likely to have symptoms of metabolic syndrome than those participants that did not.

And there you have it! After reading through these health benefits, we can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to incorporate apples into their diet moving forward! And of course, for those days where you want your apples to taste a little sweeter, don’t forget about all of the amazing things you can do with them, such as dipping them in chocolate.