The A-Z of Apple’s Health Benefits

Tianna Robinson | September 19th, 2015
This image is no longer available

A basket of sweetango apples

How many times have we heard the old adage? I don’t need to say it because you already know what it is. What we don’t realize is that apples really do play a huge role in a nutritious diet. So much so that I bet a coworker I could find a health for every letter in the alphabet. And I did.

Honestly, apples are so packed with nutrients that it wasn’t very hard to find a benefit for each letter (okay, X was a little difficult). Considering it’s apple season, now is the perfect time to stock up on the staple superfood.

Click through to get the A to Z on why an apple a day really will keep you out of the doctor’s office.

Apple cider vinegar helps reduce and dissolve kidney stones by flushing the system of toxins and minerals that form kidney stones

B-complex vitamins like potassium, phosphorous and calcium help control blood pressure and heart rate

Cleanses and detoxifies the body

Dried apples are a great way to satisfy a sweet craving with more nutritional benefits

Energy – they’re known to help with alertness more than a cup of coffee

Fibre – apples help with diahhrea as well as constipation due to their fibre content

Gives endurance

Helps you breathe better – a recent study showed that apples are associated with prevent asthma in young children

Improves neurological health — they protect neuron cells and have even been linked aiding in Alzheimer’s prevention

Juice- apple juice can be used to treat skin-related issues like cracked skin and inflammation

Ketamine or vitamin K in apple helps prevent bruising and contains many antioxidant properties

Low in calories– a medium apple is 95 calories

Medium apple counts as one cup of fruit ( of the required 2 cups of fruit each day)

Nutrients in the apple help the body from forming free radicals, which can lead to many illnesses

Osteoporosis prevention – a study has shown that a flavonoid found in apples called phloridzin may help post menopausal women reduce inflammation and increase bone density

Pectin helps reduce cholesterol levels by lowering insulin

Quercetin is a flavonoid in the apple that supports normal respiratory health and cardiovascular health as well as balanced blood pressure. It also prevents stress

Reduces the risk of stroke

Stimulates the production of saliva, which decreases tooth decay and prevents cavities

Teeth whitening – the malic acid in apple as well its texture help whiten teeth

Ulcer prevention – Apples help reduce the risk of a peptic ulcer due to its fiber content.

Vitamin C – an apple contains 14 per cent of your daily intake

Weight loss – the fibre fills us up but with few calories. It also encourages slow digestion, which steadies glucose levels and minimizes food cravings.

XXX – apples have shown to boost sexual pleasure in healthy women due to its polyphenols that stimulate blood flow to the genitalia, causing arousal

Youth – applying apple juice to the skin can help reduce wrinkles

Zaps cholesterol

A note for all apple lovers, SweeTango apples – grown in Quebec and Nova Scotia – are available west of Ontario for the first time this year. A cross between Honeycrisp and Zestar, these apples are available from the end of September to late October. Pair with young Pecorino Toscana and chilled Prosecco or Manchego cheese, Marcona almonds and chilled Fino sherry. Don’t rush to grab your Sweetango apples just yet, these sweet and crisp gems will be available in a couple of weeks at the end of September for a period of 4-5 weeks.