We’ve all heard the phrase, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. But does it really?
Most of us probably interpret this popular saying as a general encouragement to eat an apple (or other piece of fruit) daily, to help keep our body healthy.
However there’s a lot more to it than that – apples have been found to have a number of real and measurable health benefits.
For example, did you know that apples can be good for an upset stomach? Let’s find out more about this common everyday super food!
1. Apples lower cholesterol and blood pressure
Apples are rich in fibre; in fact they have more fibre per serve than some of your more popular breakfast cereals.
Soluble fibre helps prevent cholesterol build up in the lining of blood vessel walls. A study published in the American Journal of Nutrition showed that eating two apples per day can reduce cholesterol levels.
2. Apple is good for an upset stomach
Apples are great for aiding digestion at any time – but have you ever noticed that when your tummy is feeling a little off, one of the few foods you may turn to is apple?
Grated apple is ideal for an upset stomach, as the small pieces are easy to chew and digest.
So, why is apple good for an upset stomach? Apples contain pectin, a type of fibre that acts as a prebiotic. This means that it feeds your gut microbiome – the good bacteria that live in your gut.
Stewing the apples can help to increase the level of pectin, while providing a little less fibre than raw apples. For this reason, it can be helpful in combating the symptoms of diarrhea.
Click here for our delicious recipe for Stewed Apples. They are delicious and can also be used as part of our naturopathic weight loss diets.
And if constipation is your issue, then try dried apple. It’s extremely high in fibre and will help to get your digestion system moving again!
3. Apples support a healthy immune system
Did you know that apple skins contain the antioxidant, quercetin? This is a type of plant pigment flavonoid that help boosts your immune system and reduces inflammation.
Apples also contain large amounts of vitamin C which helps your body to produce white blood cells, to fight infection and bacteria.
4. Apples are diabetes friendly
When it comes to diabetes management, apple cider vinegar is a good way to consume your apples. Apple cider vinegar is made of apples that have been fermented a couple of times. Fermented foods are fabulous for your gut health!
Apple cider vinegar can improve insulin response and lower blood sugar levels after meals. Consuming apple cider vinegar before going to sleep has also been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels by 4-6% after waking.
5. Apples are good at increasing stomach acid levels
As we get older our stomach acid reduces and this is often the cause of reflux. Stomach acid is one of our first lines of defence against bugs, fungus and parasites. It also helps to break down your foods so that they can be absorbed properly. Most importantly it helps breakdown and absorb proteins which are vital for detoxification, organ and structure repair plus neurotransmitter and hormone production.
Taking 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a small amount of water prior to eating meals which contain protein will help with the digestion process and reduce the incidence of reflux.
It’s amazing how much truth is captured in that one small saying:
An apple a day keeps the doctor away”
So next time you’re experiencing a digestive problem, see if an apple is good for your upset stomach.
For ongoing digestive issues however, our award-winning naturopath Tony has spent over 17 years as a gut health specialist helping people just like you. By identifying the underlying causes and providing you with natural solutions, Tony can help you leave your digestive problems behind!
