Apples are both delicious and nutritious, and offer multiple health benefits. Rich in fibre and antioxidants, eating them has been linked to a lower risk of many chronic conditions, and may even promote weight loss and improve gut and brain health.

There are thousands of apple varieties grown all over the world, and more than 100 types of apples grown commercially in the United States alone. All the more reason to eat them as they are for a low calorie healthy snack, or add them to your favourite recipes.

If you are still on the fence, here are five health benefits you’ll reap from regularly eating apples:

A Healthier Heart

Apples are high in pectin, a soluble fibre that binds to cholesterol and excess glucose in the digestive tract leading to elimination. A large apple has about give grams of fibre.

Healthy Digestion And Gut Microbiome

Apples are a high-fibre fruit that support digestion. To increase its fibre content, eat your apples with the peel on. Apples are also rich in prebiotics, which feed your good gut bacteria and support a happy, diverse, and functional gut microbiome.

Regulate Blood Glucose Levels

The polyphenols found in apples may may help block the digestive enzyme needed for breaking starch into simple sugar and may improve the body’s ability to utilise insulin more effectively. This could decrease blood sugar spikes after a meal.

The antioxidant properties of polyphenols can also prevent chronic inflammation and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Ease constipation

Apples, along with other fruits including prunes, pears, and apricots, contain sorbitol which has been found to promote regularity, and can even have a natural laxative effect.

Good For Your Lungs 

Regular apple consumption in adults has been linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma, with one study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which looked at the lung health of former smokers, found that subjects whose diet was high in apples and tomatoes saw a slower decline in lung function.

So what are you waiting for? Go grab yourself a crunchy apple to munch on, or if you have baking skills, try baking a delicious apple pie!

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