Apples are one of the most common fruits in daily life. Not only are they easy to buy and inexpensive, but apples also offer excellent health benefits. As the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." So, what are these health benefits of apples? Here they are, finally collected!
1. Stopping Diarrhea
Because apples are rich in substances like tannic acid, malic acid, organic acids, pectin, and cellulose, which have an astringent effect, and the pectin and cellulose within them can absorb bacteria and toxins from the body, they can help stop diarrhea. Eating one apple on an empty stomach in the morning and evening is effective; for watery diarrhea, boil a semi-ripe apple with an appropriate amount of water and eat it along with the soup.
2. Relieving Constipation
The organic acids and cellulose in apples can promote intestinal peristalsis, soften stools, and make them easier to pass. Therefore, eating apples can promote bowel movements and treat constipation. It is best to eat baked apples.
3. Alleviating Pregnancy Sickness
For women experiencing pregnancy sickness, eating apples not only replenishes calories and vitamins but also regulates water and electrolyte balance, preventing acidosis caused by frequent vomiting.
4. Preventing and Treating Hypertension
Apples contain more potassium and less sodium. The potassium in apples can combine with excess sodium in the body, helping to expel it. Therefore, regularly eating apples or drinking apple juice is very beneficial for patients with high blood pressure. In recent years, medical researchers in Europe, America, and Japan have proven that apples can lower blood cholesterol, similar to lipid-lowering drugs. They believe that because apples themselves contain no cholesterol, they can promote the excretion of cholesterol from bile. Furthermore, apples are rich in pectin, which prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. The acetic acid produced when apples are broken down in the intestines is beneficial for cholesterol metabolism, which can reduce the occurrence and triggering of coronary heart disease. Thus, apples can be considered an ideal fruit for middle-aged and elderly people, especially those with high cholesterol.
To treat high blood pressure, you can eat 300-400 grams of apples on an "apple day" each week without consuming other foods. After five apple days, blood pressure may decrease. Depending on the blood pressure level, you can then decide whether to continue the next course of treatment.
5. Stimulating Appetite and Benefiting Infant Growth
The soluble phosphorus and iron in apples are easy to digest and absorb, which is beneficial for the growth and development of infants and can also prevent rickets in young children.
6. Weight Loss
The large amount of vitamins and malic acid in apples can help break down accumulated fat in the body, so regular consumption of apples can prevent obesity. Those with excess fat should eat some sour apples.
According to foreign studies, each apple day can reduce body weight by 0.5 kg to 1 kg. For weight loss, eat 1500 grams of fresh apples in six portions on an apple day, which is 250 grams each time. One course of treatment consists of 18 apple days.
7. Preventing and Treating Anemia
Regularly eating apples can increase hemoglobin, making the skin fair, delicate, and rosy. Therefore, for patients with anemia, eating apples can have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect. Apples can be eaten raw or baked to treat anemia.
8. Preventing Aging
The calcium and vitamin E in apples have diuretic and beautifying effects, which can help prevent aging.
9. Preventing Diabetes
The pectin in apples can prevent high cholesterol and reduce blood sugar levels. Eating apples in moderation has a certain effect on preventing and treating diabetes. Sour apples are recommended for treating diabetes.
10. Enhancing Memory
Apples are not only rich in sugars, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for the brain, but more importantly, they are rich in zinc. According to research, zinc is a component of many important enzymes in the human body and is a key element for promoting growth and development. A zinc deficiency in the body can adversely affect memory.