Apples - The Original Superfood™

Apples are nature's original superfood! Not only do crisp and juicy apples keep the doctor away, but they've also been linked to lower cholesterol levels, weight loss, and preventing a host of chronic diseases. Available year-round, apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol free and an excellent source of dietary fiber. Read on to learn what makes apples the original superfood!

	Brain Health: An animal study conducted by Cornell University researchers found that quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the type of free radical damage that leads to Alzheimer’s disease. In another study, French researchers found evidence that connected the consumption of fruits, such as apples, with a lower occurrence of strokes. They concluded that each additional serving of fruit consumed per day decreased the risk of stroke by 11%.
	Cancer Prevention: Apples contain phytochemicals, or plant substances that act as antioxidants by protecting the body’s cells from irreversible damage. Studies have even linked the consumption of apples with the reduced onset of certain cancers (such as lung, breast, and colon cancer), as well as lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes.
	Diabetes Management: The natural sweetness in apples comes primarily from fructose, a type of sugar that breaks down slowly in the body and helps keep blood sugar levels stable for diabetes sufferers. Additionally, pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body, lowering the need for insulin and assisting in the management of diabetes.
	Lower Cholesterol: Studies have shown that people who eat one large apple per day can lower their cholesterol up to 11%. That’s because apples are rich with antioxidants that help prevent LDL, or bad cholesterol, from oxidation.
	Fiber & Weight Loss: Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber, with about 5 grams or 20% of the daily recommended value, in one medium to large-sized apple. One of the little-known benefits of eating high-fiber foods is that they create a feeling of fullness. In fact, researchers at Penn State University found that eating a whole apple 15 minutes before lunch could reduce the number of calories consumed during lunch. Fiber also helps with digestion and may lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
	Bone Protection: Researchers in France found that the flavonoid, phloridzin, (only found in apples) may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis. Apples also contain boron, which strengthens bones.