We have always heard that an apple a day will keep the Dr. away. I found this article & thought it was really interesting. It is called AN APPLE A DAY HELPS KEEP ATHEROSCLEROSIS (hardening of the arteries) AWAY. Here is the article. It may take me a day or so to finish it all thou. It is no secret that apples are great for your health, but new research suggests that eating an apple a day can significantly decrease your risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). According to research published online September 29,2012 in the Journal of Functional Foods, study participants who ate one apple everyday for 4 weeks had reduced blood levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. When LDL becomes oxidized, it takes on a form that contributes to the development of artherosclerosis. Participants who took a supplement containing polyphenols similar to those found in apples also had lower oxidized LDL, but not as much as those who ate apples. People taking a placebo or "sugar pill" experienced no change in oxidized LDL. "Apples are rich in antioxidants, which experts believe may help repair & protect against cellular damage," says Shara J. Greenspan, RD, a senior dietician at Weill Cornell Medical College. "Cellular damage may play a negative role in a number of chronic illnesses, such as cancer & cardiovascular disease." THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF APPLES: According to Greenspan, apples are a good source of fiber, which is associated with many health benefits, including reducing cholesterol levels, improving your heart health, & maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Apples also contain vitamin C & have no cholesterol & just a trace of sodium (one milligram per cup) & fat (0.2 grams per cup). If you want to get the most nutritional value out of your apple, make sure to eat both the skin & the flesh. When it comes to different types of apples, the nutritional data is generally about the same. The only real difference is taste (some may be sweeter, while some are more tart), so choose an apple that tastes good to you. Tomorrow I will talk about how to choose your apples. This was really interesting to me & I hope it helps you as well.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:01:22 +0000