An Apple a Day Isn't Cliche'

Help keep those doctors away and start eating that apple every day. Apples are low in calories and fat and contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. Apples also have a high water content. This teacher's favorite shiny red, green or yellow fruit also contains two types of fibers. Insoluble fiber helps give the sensation of having a full stomach and aids digestion.

{relatedarticles}

Flavonoids and boron, both found in apples, helps strengthen bones and may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis. Those antioxidants also ward off lung cancer and Alzheimer's disease. The pectin in apples prevents colon cancer, reduces bad LDL cholesterol and helps manage diabetes. In a Brazilian study, people who ate three or more servings of fiber-rich fruit like apples lost more weight than those who didn't eat fruit. Apples seem to play a role in childhood asthma. Pregnant women who ate apples had children with lower rates of asthma than those who didn't, and children with asthma who drank unsweetened apple juice daily had less wheezing than those who didn't.


The best part about eating apples is the delicious, refreshing taste. There's a variety for all tastes. People who like crunchy apples should try varieties like Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, Red Delicious or the tart, green Granny Smith.{relatedarticles}If you prefer a softer bite, then try a Rome or McIntosh. For baking, great varieties include Granny Smiths and Braeburns. Apples are an easy snack that go a long way.