| Apples are not just delicious
to eat, but nutrients in apples can reduce
cholesterol (especially the “bad”
LDL cholesterol), detoxify lead, regulate
our blood sugar, provide energy, prevent constipation
and the antioxidants in apples can perhaps
even fight cancer.
Apples are a rich source of:
• Pectin – a soluble fibre.
Aids in reducing cholesterol. Aids in reducing
lead toxicity.
•
Vitamin C (8mg) – a strong
antioxidant. Helps combat free radicals.
• Fibre – a medium sized, unpeeled
apple has about 3.5 gms of fibre. (That
is more than 10% of the daily recommended
fibre requirement.) The fibre also helps
regulate blood sugar, preventing sudden
increases or drops in sugar level. Excellent
food choice for diabetics.
• Fructose (a type of sugar found
in fruits). Fructose in apples is broken
down slowly by the body. This helps maintain
blood sugar levels.
• Carbohydrate – provides energy.
• Phytochemicals – an anti-oxidant.
• Water.
Apples also contains (but in lesser
quantities)
Minerals: Potassium
(159mg), Calcium,
Magnesium,
Phosphorous,
Iron,
Copper
Vitamins: Carotene
(35 IUs), Vitamin
E, Thiamine
(B1) , Riboflavin
(B2) , Niacin
(B3) , Pyridoxine
(B6), Biotin.
Other Benefits
Helps prevent constipation and removal of
toxins in the gut (eaten raw). Helps prevent
diarrhoea (stewed).
Lead is a heavy metal. Lead toxicity symptoms
include: anxiety, anaemia, impaired cognitive
function, constipation, fatigue and bone
pain. Chelation is the process of binding
the metal to encourage its elimination from
the body. The pectin in the apple peel helps
to chelate lead thus helping our bodies
in lead detoxification and getting rid of
this very harmful heavy metal.
Caution
Apples are commonly treated with insecticides.
They are also sprayed with a wax coating
to not just prevent moisture loss but also
for a shiny appearance. The apple skin contains
beneficial pectin so try not to peel the
apple, but rather scrub the apples under
running water before eating to remove the
wax and insecticides.
Buying organically grown apples may be
another way to ensure you won’t be
consuming wax and insecticides.
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