What is the world's most popular fruit? The answer, as you may know, is the apple. The apple has long been hailed as the "king of all-around healthy fruits." But what are the amazing benefits of apples? How should we pick them?
Eight Amazing Benefits of Apples: Are There Any You Didn't Know?
The apple is mild in nature and rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and trace elements. It contains sugars, organic acids, pectin, protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, vitamins A, B, C, and dietary fiber. It also contains malic acid, tartaric acid, and carotene, making it the fruit and vegetable with the most nearly perfect nutritional value. So, what are these amazing benefits of apples?
Promotes Regularity and Stops Diarrhea
The organic acids and cellulose in apples can promote intestinal peristalsis, soften stools, and facilitate excretion. Therefore, eating apples can relieve constipation. It is best to eat baked apples.
At the same time, apples are rich in tannic acid, malic acid, organic acids, pectin, and cellulose, which have an astringent effect. The pectin and cellulose can also absorb bacteria and toxins, thus helping to stop diarrhea. Simply eat one apple on an empty stomach in the morning and evening to see results. For watery diarrhea, use semi-ripe apples, boil them with a suitable amount of water, and eat them along with the soup.
Suitable for Pregnant Women
For women experiencing morning sickness, eating apples not only replenishes calories and vitamins but also regulates the balance of water, salt, and electrolytes, preventing acidosis caused by frequent vomiting. The soluble phosphorus and iron in apples are easily digested and absorbed, beneficial for the baby's growth and development, and can also prevent rickets in infants and young children.
Weight Loss
The large amount of vitamins and malic acid in apples can promote the breakdown of fat accumulated in the human body. Regular consumption of apples can prevent obesity. Those with excess fat should eat some tart apples.
Preventing and Treating Anemia
Eating apples often can increase hemoglobin, making the skin fair, white, and rosy. Therefore, for anemia patients, eating apples can have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect. Apples can be eaten raw or baked to treat anemia.
Lowering "Three Highs"
One of the major benefits of apples is their ability to lower the "three highs." Apples are rich in potassium, and one of the major factors causing high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol is excessive "sodium" in the body. Potassium can neutralize the body's "sodium" and expel it, thereby lowering blood pressure.
In addition, apples can also lower cholesterol levels. Eating apples can reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood and increase bile secretion and bile acid function, thus preventing cholesterol from precipitating in the bile to form gallstones.
Cancer Prevention
Apples are rich in phenolic substances, especially in the peel, which has strong antioxidant activity and can effectively inhibit the growth of liver cancer and colon cancer cells.
Lung Cleanser
Regular consumption of apples is beneficial for improving the respiratory system and lung function, protecting the lungs from the effects of pollution and dust, and preventing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Promotes Intestinal Peristalsis
Helps the body expel waste and reduces the harmful effects of harmful substances on the skin.
Maintains Acid-Base Balance
Apples are alkaline foods. Eating apples can quickly neutralize excessive acidic substances in the body (including acids produced by exercise and acidic metabolic products from acidic foods like fish, meat, and eggs), thereby enhancing physical strength and disease resistance.
Picking Apples is a Skill: A Guide to Common Apple Selection Methods
How to pick Red Fuji apples:
(1) Look for concentric circles on the apple's stem; these indicate sufficient sunlight and sweetness.
(2) Look for stripes on the apple's body; the more, the better.
(3) The redder and more vibrant the apple, the better.
How to pick Qinguan apples:
(1) Choose uniformly sized apples, preferably medium-sized ones.
(2) Press the apple with your hand; if it yields, it's sweet; if it's firm, it's sour.
(3) The color should be uniform.
How to pick Yellow元帅 apples:
(1) Choose apples with a yellow color; the more freckles, the better.
(2) Weigh the apple in your hand; the lighter ones are softer, and the heavier ones are crisper.
The saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," fully expresses the public's love for apples. Apples don't have outstanding looks or expensive prices. Many people have eaten them but don't truly know them. You can learn more about the benefits and selection methods of apples mentioned above!