Autumn is definitely back on this side of the world, with the long hot days of July’s heatwave well and truly behind us.
In honour of the upcoming harvest, this month’s superfood is famed for keeping the doctor away, scrumping and cider! It also happens to be one of the healthiest foods that we grow.
5 Nutritional Powers of Apples!
Apples are not only delicious, they have great nutritional power. Here’s five ways apples can help shift workers to stay healthy both on and off shifts.
1. Lose Weight with an Apple a Day
Eating apples can aid in weight loss and fight obesity. They are naturally fat free, with no cholesterol or sodium. They are a great low calorie snack that is full of nutrients. The fact that you can carry an apple in your pocket, and that they are available all year round makes them a great daily snacking choice.
Apples are a source of dietary fiber, and the type of fiber found in apples is soluble fiber, which can help people feel fuller for longer.
A study from Washington State University linked eating apples to the prevention of disorders associated with obesity. Researchers think that the discovery could help prevent some obesity disorders, including low-grade, chronic inflammation that can lead to diabetes.
2. Brain Power!
Apples are also great brain boosters. They contain a powerful antioxidant believed to block free radicals from damaging brain cells, as well as other types of cells. The skin of the apple contains most of its quercetin so it’s important to eat the entire apple to reap it’s brain boosting benefits.
Other studies have linked apples to reducing memory loss and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
3. Healthy Heart
Apples are good for the heart. The antioxidant in apples have been found to benefit the heart as well as the brain. In 2012 a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods found that people who ate an apple a day for 4 weeks lowered their levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) by as much as 40% in comparison to those who did not.
High cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease. The fiber and vitamin C in apples also helps protect the heart.
4. Keeping Diabetes At Bay
It’s thought that apples may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. According to studies, people who eat at least two servings each week of fruits such as apples could significantly lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 23% in comparison to those who ate less than one serving a month.
5. Healthy Skin and Bones
Finally, apples are good for maintaining healthy skin and bones. Apples are a very good source of vitamin C. One medium sized apple contains 14% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. On top of this, apples also contain vitamin B.
These essential vitamins promote skin health by speeding up skin cell production, and fighting acne and skin irritation.
Apples also protect the bones thanks to phloridzin. This flavonoid is known to protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis, and bone-protecting boron.
Perfect Shift Work Snack
As we come to the apple harvest, the supermarkets are going to be full of apples at their best. Why not keep the doctor away with this great autumn superfood this month?
