Fall is in the air which means that apples are in season. We have all heard the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” An apple a day may not actually keep the doctor away, but apples do offer a number of health benefits. Apples are:
- Very inexpensive.
- Low in calories (about 80 calories per tennis ball sized apple)
- Apples contain antioxidants, vitamins, dietary fiber, and a range of other nutrients.
- Apples have 4 grams of fiber per tennis ball sized apple, including both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Soluble fiber helps to prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, thus reducing the incident of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
- Insoluble fiber in apples provides bulk in the intestinal tract, holding water to cleanse and move food quickly through the digestive system.
- It is best to eat apples with their skin. Almost half of the vitamin C content is just underneath the skin and eating the skin also increases insoluble fiber content.
- Apples keep you feeling full and satisfied.
There are more than 7,500 varieties of apples in the world. Apple varieties have different qualities (sweet, tart, soft and smooth or crisp and crunchy), depending on the one you choose.
● Jonathans are tart, great for baking or eating.
● Honeycrisps are sweet, crisp, and delicious for eating.
● Galas are sweet, good for, eating, or salads.
● Granny Smith apples are tart and great for baking.