Apples are packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that give the fruit its reputation as a health food. But have you ever considered that perhaps eating apples can help you lose weight?
According to nutritionist, Marion Nestle, consuming small amounts of apples can significantly reduce your waistline. In her book, Food Matters, the nutrition expert states that “eating just one apple a day, as a part of a healthy diet, can help you lose about a pound a week! That’s equal to three pounds in a month!”
Eating an apple a day might not sound like a weight loss diet, but in reality it is. Here’s why:
They Are High In Fiber
Apples are a good source of fiber, which gives the food its bulk. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, adults should eat at least 25 grams of fiber each day to maintain a healthy digestive system. One serving of an apple is usually considered to be about 20 grams of fiber.
Eating more fiber-rich foods like apples helps move wastes through your digestive system more easily. And easier bowel movements mean you’ll keep the pounds off!
They Can Lower Your Cholesterol
Apple pie isn’t the only thing that’s good for your heart. New research from China suggests that eating an apple a day can significantly reduce your cholesterol. Why? Apples contain a substance called quercetin, which offers protective properties. Quercetin has been shown to reduce cholesterol in the animal models, and it may do the same in humans as well.
What’s more, apples are a good source of pectin, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol in the animal models as well. Pectin is a substance found in plant connective tissue, which gives the food its gel-like texture.
Eating more fruits like apples can help keep your cholesterol levels in check and may even help repair the tissue in your heart. The results of a study published in the journal Nature demonstrated that animals who ate a high-pectin diet had healthier hearts than those who didn’t eat fruit as much.
They Are An Excellent Source Of Vitamin C
Did you know that vitamin C is good for your skin? Did you know that it can also help your body eliminate cholesterol? Did you know that it can help fight infection?
Vitamin C is a substance that the body doesn’t produce naturally. The human body does need some vitamin C, but it isn’t able to produce it in sufficient amounts. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and veggies, such as tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers. It’s also available in supplement form.
Not only does vitamin C help your body produce more collagen, which gives the food its bright red color, it has also been shown to decrease cholesterol and boost the immune system. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder why vitamin C-rich foods like apples are so good for your health.
Antioxidants And A Few Snacks
Did you know that vitamin C is good for your health, but it doesn’t do everything itself? Antioxidants are substances in food (like apples) that act as protective shields against free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to inflammatory reactions and disease. Different antioxidants have different properties, but they all work together to protect the human body from damage caused by free radicals.
Some free radicals are produced naturally as part of the body’s metabolism, but there are also many that come from environmental toxins, such as cigarette smoke and radiated drinking water. Having lots of antioxidants in your diet can help protect you from damage caused by free radicals, which may reduce the risk of many diseases.
When it comes to diet and health, there seem to be an endless amount of information. With the health and well-being of you and your family in mind, it can be hard to know what to try first. Is it best to focus on eating healthier food, or should you begin an exercise routine? The answer is simpler than you think. Instead of trying to tackle complicated questions about nutrition and weight loss, follow the tried and true methods that helped Marion Nestle achieve incredible results. Eating apples a day may be one of them!