An Apple a Day: Will it Really Keep the Doctor Away?
We are all familiar with the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.
But, is there any truth to this infamous quote?
As it turns out, apples are one of the best fruits you can eat – they are part of the solution to a healthy (and happy!) heart, body, and mind. In addition, they are also extremely versatile and make a very convenient grab-n-go treat.
The Health Benefits of Apples
While having one a day may not keep the doctor away on its own, the health benefits of apples are many.
Antioxidants
Apples are a great source of antioxidants. More specifically, apples are rich in polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and help protect your body from the damage caused by free radicals.
A study conducted by The Ohio State University found that healthy, middle-aged adults who consumed one apple a day for four weeks lowered their “bad” cholesterol by as much as 40 percent.
Maybe the saying should be “An apple a day keeps the cardiologist away”!
Fiber
Dietary fiber is crucial to keeping your digestive system healthy, and one medium apple provides 5 grams of it. This is 20% of the daily recommended intake for women and 13% for men.
The type of fiber in apples is called soluble fiber, which slows digestion and keeps you fuller for longer. Fiber-rich foods also aid in keeping LDL (bad) cholesterol low.
Vitamins
Apples are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium.
Aside from boosting immunity and benefiting skin and nails, various studies have linked vitamin C to lower blood pressure. Potassium also assists in stabilizing blood pressure.
Before you head out to get apples, don’t forget to peek at our Heart Healthy Gocery List for your next grocery run!
Incorporating Apples in Your Diet
Aside from its impressive list of nutrients, versatility is what makes the apple shine.
Though few things are better than biting into a fresh, crisp apple, here are some other ways you can add this fruit into your diet:
- Add diced apples to your oatmeal or yogurt
- Make an apple pie or apple crisp
- Use apples in place of other fruits in smoothies or juices
- Add grated apples to salads or slaws
- Dehydrate apples and add them to a homemade trail mix
For an unforgettable apple dish, check out our favourite Sunday morning recipe for Caramel Sweet Potato Apple Hashbrowns!
Where Does the Saying “an Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away” Come From?
According to author, Caroline Taggart, the first recorded use of the adage dates back to the 1860s in Wales.
Taggart states that, “The original phrase was, ‘‘Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” In the 19thcentury and early 20th, the phrase evolved to “an apple a day, no doctor to pay” and “an apple a days sends the doctor away,”
The phrasing that is commonly used now was first recorded in 1922.
Interested in some more apple fun facts?
- The apple is Poland’s national fruit
- 40 varieties of apples are grown across Canada
- McIntosh is the most popular apple in Canada
- Apples trees can take as long as 10 years to reach full production
Low calorie and high in vitamins and minerals, apples make the perfect healthy snack. All of the nutrients in apples work together to keep your body healthy and functioning properly.
Whether or not an apple a day keeps the doctor away is still being investigated, but recent studies are showing that an apple a day may in fact help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
So next time you’re looking for a treat, reach for an apple!
