Why We Should Eat Apples??

Apples are one of the most popular and important fruits that grow on trees. Apple trees are a member of the rose family. There are hundreds of different apple varieties with colors of the fruit ranging from various shades of red to green and yellow. The flavor of apples ... varies from tart to sweet. Apples are about 85 percent water and contain vitamins A and C, potassium, pectin, and fiber.

BENEFITS

APPLES REALLY ARE GOOD FOR YOU!
Eating fresh apples is always good for you, but to get the full nutritional benefits associated with eating apples you should eat at least one fresh apple every day.

WHOLE-BODY HEALTH BENEFITS
Lower blood cholesterol, improved bowel function, reduced risk of stroke, prostate cancer, type II diabetes and asthma.CANCER PREVENTION
Over the past four years, apple consumption has been linked with reduced cancer risk in several studies.

HEALTHY LUNGS
Two recent British studies indicated that eating apples can improve lung health.

HEART DISEASE & STROKE PREVENTION
A Finnish study published in 1996 showed that people who eat a diet rich in flavonoids have a lower incidence of heart disease. Other studies indicate that flavonoids may help prevent strokes.

WEIGHT LOSS
Apples are a delicious source of dietary fiber, and dietary fiber helps aid digestion and promotes weight loss. A medium apple contains about five grams of fiber, more than most cereals. Also, apples contain almost zero fat and cholesterol, so they are a delicious snack and dessert food that’s good for you.

UC-DAVIS: APPLES ARE HEART-HEALTHY
Researchers at the University of California-Davis recently reported that apples and apple juice may help protect arteries from harmful plaque build-up. In the first study conducted in humans, adults who added two apples, or 12 ounces of 100% apple juice, to their daily diet demonstrated a significant slowing of the cholesterol oxidation process that leads to plaque build-up - thereby giving the body more time to rid itself of cholesterol before it can cause harm.

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Varieties

Red Delicious predominates production, constituting about 40 percent of the packed crop in 2001. This is down from 69 percent of the crop in 1990. Golden Delicious is second in order, with 15 percent, then Fuji (14%), Gala and Granny Smith (12% each), with the remaining seven percent made up in order of Braeburn, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Cameo, and other lesser varieties. Fuji is expected overtake Golden Delicious production in the year 2004; and Gala production is rapidly increasing, perhaps in line to become number two or three in production sometime during the next decade.