Folklore tells us that 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. This simple fruit has long been considered valuable in protecting people from disease of all kind; modern research has confirmed that eating an apple or two every day is indeed of value for those who wish to stay healthy. If you regularly eat apples, you may find your blood pressure lowered, your blood sugar steady, and your heart in good condition.
Nobody quite knows what it is about apples that are so potent; possibly the pectin (used in causing jams and jellies to set) plays a part; doubtless the Vitamin C content of apples has some significance. Quercertin is another important nutrient, found in the skins of apples, which is known to have anti-oxidant properties, and may help in reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and even some cancers. But extracting these nutrients does not lead to the same benefit as simply eating raw apples, including the skin, each day.
The crunchiness of fresh apples can help strengthen the jaw, and the whole fruit - or even the juice, freshly extracted - can sometimes aid recovery from colds and other viral infections.
One medium apple contains about 195mg potassium, 20mg phosphorus, 11mg calcium, 9mg magnesium, and traces of other minerals. It also contains approximately 8.5mg Vitamin C, 98iu Vitamin A, and traces of Vitamin K, Vitamin E, and the B vitamins.
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