The markets are starting to see the first of the new season apples coming in now.
Apples contain no fat or cholesterol and are an excellent source of dietry fibre. Eating a medium sized apple will provide you with a third of your daily Vitamin C requirements and chewing an apple helps prevent tooth decay by stimulating the flow of saliva.
Apples have many health benefits and are one of the very few foods identified in human studies as being able to reduce the risk of disease. According to Horticulture Australia, these studies showed that eating fruits was generally protective in reducing disease risk and that vegetables collectively had a reduction. However apples are different. In the studies it was found that eating apples had a direct effect in helping to reduce disease risk.

Apples and the flavoniods found in them have been linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer in a large number of studies. Apples may also offer some protection against other forms of cancer with a recent study showing that apple intake was consistently associated with a reduction in risk as part of a healthy and varied diet.
It has been found that eating apples has been linked to a reduction in cardiovascular disease of up to 22% in woman in a large study of a number of years and other studies have shown a reduction in the risk of heart disease from apples and the flavonoids they contain. Apple flavonoids are strongly linked to a reduced mortality from heart disease in men.
An Australian study has shown that eating whole apples can protected against asthma. Asthma is a significant health issue as it is believed that over 2 million people have the condition in Australia. The finding is consistent with a number of studies. Additionally it appears that apples can generally improve lung health and there is research to suggest that eating apples during pregnancy.
Selection and Storage
Choose an apple that has skin that is firm and smooth to touch. Apples should be stored in a refrigerator so they stay crisp for longer.
Dietary Fibre
According to the the World Health Organisation, high levels of dietary can help prevent weight gain and apples are rich in fibre—containing more fibre per serve than leading breakfast cereals.
Not only can fibre help control our weight, Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council encourages optimum fibre intake to reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular problems and certain cancers. Plus fibre each day is essential for good digestive health.
Low Glycemic Index
Carbohydrate foods with a low GI (glycemic index) release sugar into the bloodstream gradually to provide a longer lasting energy. Because apples have a low GI of 38, they provide a sustained source of energy for the body.
In general, it is recommended that a low GI product be eaten with every meal.
Potassium
The Australian Government has suggested that we try to increase the amount of potassium in our diet because it can help control blood pressure and apples certainly make a good contribution.
In fact, fruit and vegetable consumption generally has been shown to help reduce blood pressure in those with elevated levels.
Vitamin C
Vital for healthy skin and a strong immune system—plus vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant.
Essential Minerals
Apples also contain calcium for healthy bones and teeth, iron to help transport oxygen in the body and zinc for the immune system.
B Vitamins
Vital for the release of energy from food—the B group vitamins are needed in the diet each day and they can be found in apples.
No fat, cholesterol or salt
It is reassuring to know that while apples contain so many nutritional benefits they don’t have the things we don’t need.