The phrase “eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away” was first coined in 1913 and originated from a Pembrokeshire proverb dating back to 1866. That proverb read, “Eat an apple on going to bed and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” So does eating an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Some experts say yes and some say no. We’ll see today that the advantages are well worth your reading time. Here are seven reasons why eating an apple a day might just keep your doctor away.
An apple a day:
Is packed with nutrition – Apples contain fiber (4.5 grams), vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants such as quercetin, caffeic acid, and epicatechin. That’s a lot of nutrition packed into one food source. An apple provides much nutrition with lower calories.
Lowers risk for cancer – Apples contain several compounds that may prevent cancer formation including antioxidants and flavonoids. A hospital-based, case-control study in Italy with over 6000 participants found that eating more than one apple daily reduced the risk for the following cancers: breast cancer (24%), oral/pharynx (18%), colorectal (30%), larynx (41%), ovarian (24%), esophageal (22%), and prostate ((7%). According to a review of 41 studies, eating apples was also associated with a decreased risk for lung cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, this is another tool I can add to my regimen to help prevent recurrence.
Improves Brain Function – Why? Eating apples reduces oxidative stress and slows signs of aging. And since heart health is connected to brain health, apples also improve the blood vessel lining. As someone who lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease, an apple never looked so good.
Lowers Risk of Type 2 Diabetes – Apples protect the cells in your pancreas, which lowers your risk for this common problem we all need to avoid. According to one large study, eating an apple each day was associated with a 28% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Promotes Gut Health and Weight Loss – The fiber in apples lessens the effects of acid reflux and also helps with diarrhea and constipation. It also feeds the good bacteria in your gut, which enhances your microbiome. This gut lining is key to keeping your immune system strong. Remember that 70 to 80 percent of our immune cells are located in this all-important lining. The soluble fiber in an apple helps us to feel full and increases weight loss.
Improves Cardiovascular Health – According to research, eating apples on a daily basis can lower the risk for heart disease. In fact, one study with over 20,000 adults linked eating white fleshy fruits and vegetables including apples to a lower risk of stroke. Another study showed that flavonoid-rich apples are known to reduce inflammation, improve endothelial function, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness.
This is why medical researcher, Sayer Ji, recommends eating an apple a day. He recommends this over statin drugs and baby aspirin which both can have side effects.
Inhibits the growth of viruses and bacteria. Believe it or not, apples contain quercetin which is antibacterial and antiviral. Many doctors recommended zinc and quercetin during the Covid-19 pandemic. Most people had never heard of quercetin until this pandemic. But for those who could not find a source of quercetin, I told them to eat a red apple each day since they are a great source of quercetin.
The benefits of eating an apple a day have convinced my husband and I to include this food along with our cup of blueberries daily. According to a study in JAMA, an apple a day may not decrease doctor visits, but it is certainly a good idea. I believe in regular checkups with my doctor as preventative care. But, eating an apple each day, might reduce your trips to the pharmacist by using this gift from nature’s pharmacy to prevent heart disease, brain decline, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers as well as promoting a healthy gut. So chalk an apple up as your healthy prescription for the day!
View this message on YouTube:
7 Reasons to Eat an Apple a Day
And here’s two related YouTube videos:
Top Five Foods to Prevent Cancer
For Your Health,
Ginny
Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker and writer who grew up in the halls of power in Washington, DC. She has battled cancer, ministered around the world, and served on the front lines of American culture as a counselor, educator, wellness advocate, and adjunct professor. Brant’s award-winning book, Finding True Freedom: From the White House to the World, was endorsed by Chuck Colson and featured in many TV and media interviews. Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was released in May 2020 after her journey with cancer and was recently awarded the First Place Golden Scrolls Award for Memoirs, and Second Place in both Selah Awards for Memoirs and Director’s Choice Award for Nonfiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. It recently received the Christian Authors Network’s (CAN) Gold Award for Excellence in Marketing for reaching 62.5 million people with a message of cancer prevention and survival. It was written with commentary from an oncologist and was featured on CBN’s Healthy Living Show, Atlanta Live, and CTN’s Homekeepers along with over 75 media outlets. Learn more and cancer and wellness prevention blog and book information at www.ginnybrant.com.
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