An Apple a day keeps the doctor away

Monday, July 11, 2011

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why." -- Bernard M. Baruch

IT'S red and tempting. That is probably the best description I can personally give to apples apart from their being handy and a natural mouth freshener; thus, earning them the title "nature's tooth brush."

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Nutritionally speaking, apples are a good source of fiber that helps lower cholesterol build-up in the lining of blood vessels, lowering the possibility of developing atherosclerosis and other heart problems.

The apple's fiber content provides bulk in the intestinal tract and works by cleansing the tract and moving the food quickly in the digestive system. Its red skin contains high amounts of vitamin C, whereas its underneath contains only half of that of the skin. Therefore, eating the red skin or not peeling the apple before eating is healthier than eating it peeled.

It is also believed that the skin of an apple is a more powerful stimulant to keep one awake compared to coffee without causing palpitation, upset stomach and all the other undesirable side effects that are associated with caffeine.

According to French researchers, a compound called "phloridzin," which is found exclusively in apples, protects post-menopausal women from osteoporosis.

The very same group of researchers was also able to isolate "Boron," another compound found in apples, which are believed to increase bone density and strength.

One study also showed that children who had asthma but drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered less wheezing than those children who drank little to almost none.

Similarly, a study discovered that children borne of mothers who had religiously eaten apples throughout the course of their pregnancy had lower asthma rates than those whose mothers had eaten little amounts of apples while pregnant.

A study of mice from Cornell University found that apples may protect brain cells from free radical damages that can lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers believe that apples may lower bad cholesterol and that people who ate at least two apples a day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

In a study of 10,000 people, those who ate apples regularly had a 50 percent lower risk of developing cancer.

Another Cornell University study found that those women who ate three apples a day had reduced their risk of developing breast cancer by 17 percent.

Lastly, a Brazilian study found that women eating three to four apples a day lost more weight than dieting women who did not eat fruits while dieting.

Looking at the other prism of the so-called "forbidden fruit of knowledge," apples may also carry several cultural bearing.

In Germanic paganism, it was believed that apples, when offered to gods, can give anyone eternal youthfulness and beauty.

In Greek mythology, one of the sensationalized indirect causes of the Trojan War was an apple that was tossed with three goddesses -- Athena, Hera and Aphrodite -- competing over its ownership as whoever possesses it proves to be the most beautiful goddess of all.

In present-day science, alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) or glycoloc acid used in diamond peels and other skin peeling agents to lighten skin tone, improve complexion and smoothen the skin can actually be derived from apples.

Apples do carry so much bearing in terms of health, cultural wealth and intellectual growth.

So grab your piece of apple today.

(Comments may be sent to pjvesagas@yhoo.ca)