| Apples are good for you. You've heard it from the | | | | B Vitamins.) |
| time you were a tiny kid... "An apple a day keeps the | | | | - Fiber (1 apple containing about 80 calories has more |
| doctor away". But how do apples actually benefit | | | | fiber in it than most cereals... and it's natural fiber!) It |
| your health? | | | | contains pectin which is great to help lower |
| They knew about the health benefits of apples | | | | cholesterol. |
| centuries ago (where do you think the saying "an | | | | - Vitamin C (important to ward off cancers) |
| apple a day keeps the doctor away" came from) and | | | | - Niacin (opens blood vessels and can lower |
| while many things have changed since then, the | | | | cholesterol) |
| benefits of apples have not. | | | | - Phosphorus (important for bone and teeth |
| However, first be aware that there are a lot of | | | | formation) |
| pesticides used on apples now, so of course, your | | | | - Magnesium (important for healthy heart, keeps |
| best bet is to buy organic apples so you can eat the | | | | bones strong and helps body absorb other minerals |
| skin and all... which, because most of the vitamins are | | | | such as calcium and potassium). (Especially important |
| found right under the skin, it's a good idea. | | | | for pregnant women, menopausal women and those |
| Apples benefit our health because they include the | | | | who are at risk for osteoporosis.) |
| following vitamins and minerals... | | | | - Iron (important for proper function of liver... and to |
| - Vitamin A (needed to prevent such problems such | | | | prevent anemia |
| as night blindness, reproduction problems, urinary | | | | - Potassium (good for heart. Potassium lowers blood |
| tract problems) | | | | pressure) (1 medium apple contains about 150 mg. of |
| - Vitamin B (Thiamine: B1 & B2, B5, B6, B9 | | | | potassium). |
| & B12. Bet you didn't know there were so many | | | | So keep on eating that "apple a day". |