An Apple a Day
by Cindy Gray on November 12th, 2008
Loading ...An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away… Hey, wait a minute, who said that? And why would one simple, humble little piece of fruit be thought to keep away “the doctor,” or potential illness? Well, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, didn’t say it; and neither did any other famous doctor or spokesperson. This old familiar quote has been attributed to a traditional nursery rhyme, one that dates back to the sixteenth century.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Apple in the morning – Doctor’s warning
Roast apple at night – starves the doctor outright
Eat an apple going to bed – knock the doctor on the head
Three each day, seven days a week – ruddy apple, ruddy cheek!”
You see, apples contain a very beneficial fiber called pectin, and pectin absorbs toxins in your digestive system. Apples are also high in vitamins and minerals, especially in magnesium, which is very good for muscle relaxation and the health of your heart. Even the skin of an apple is loaded with health-giving properties. Research shows that apple skin contains unique polyphenols such as quercetin, proanthocyanidins and many others that help to neutralize so many different toxins and diseases.
There’s another old saying – an old French proverb – that states, “spinach is the broom of the stomach.” Well, apples are like the “broom of the bloodstream.” Apples help sweep the bloodstream of excess cholesterol and toxins, they create a sweep throughout the entire system. It is said that apples are best consumed on an empty stomach, as their action is to sweep clean the bloodstream and digestive tract.
Grandma was right, an apple a day CAN help to keep the doctor away. In fact, researchers at St. George’s
Hospital in London found that eating at least five apples per week could help your respiratory system, and help you to breathe more easily. These researchers found evidence of abundant anti-oxidants and other healthy compounds contained in the fruit. In addition, studies have shown that high consumption of pectin-rich foods can contribute to a lowering of blood cholesterol levels.
Apples are abundantly grown in many states, and in countries like Chile, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Apples are fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and an excellent source of fiber. One medium apple is only 80 calories. Americans are said to eat approximately 19.5 pounds of fresh apples annually, compared to about 45 pounds consumed annually by residents of European countries.
Archeologists have found evidence that people have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C. During the early 1800′s, a pioneer apple planter named John Chapman distributed apple seeds and apple trees to settlers in Ohio and Indiana. We remember him today as Johnny Appleseed. China leads the world in apple production today, with the U.S. ranking second, followed by France, Italy and Turkey.
Fresh apples, besides being delicious to sink your teeth into raw, can be baked, put into pies, cooked with entrees, shredded into salads, and pressed into tasty cider and made into the remarkable health-giving apple cider vinegar. Even the famous Edgar Cayce recommended a Three-Day Apple Cleanse for detoxification and weight loss.
While many countries may grow apples, the best ones for your health are grown as close to home as possible. Buy organic whenever you can; find a local apple grower if possible. And always wash your apples before eating them. Use a spray veggie wash–usually made with citric acid or grapefruit seed extract – or you can also make your own by mixing one part hydrogen peroxide with three parts purified water, and mist from a clean spray bottle.
Also worth considering…of all the fruits available today, apples are usually the best on the wallet, too!
So how do you like them apples?
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