Nutrition | Nutrition

Let’s just state the obvious and get it over with - apples are good for you.  Everyone knows that. A child can tell you an apple a day keeps the doctor away.  In the old days they actually said “To eat an apple before going to bed, will make the doctor beg his bread”.  Not quite as snappy but you get the idea.

So what health benefits does an apple actually offer as part of a balanced diet?  An apple contributes one of your recommended five-a-day - the Government recommends that five pieces of fruit and vegetables should be eaten daily to help reduce the risk of some cancers, heart disease and many other chronic conditions. 

Needless to say apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol free and a medium sized apple contains only around 80 calories.   Apples are a good source of vitamin C (just one apple supplies a quarter of your day’s recommended amount), as well as vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, boron to help keep your bones strong and an amazing five grams of fibre including pectin are found in the skins and core, which helps your body digest food more efficiently.

Can Jazz Apples help prevent cancer?

Of all the health benefits you can gain from eating apples, the protection they can give you against cancer is probably the strongest.  Recent studies by the Mayo Clinic in the USA claim that quercetin, a type of flavonoid contained in apples, can help prevent prostrate cancer cell growth. 

On top of this, flavonoids are believed to reduce the risk of lung cancer by as much as 50%.  Apple skin contains phytochemicals which reduce the risk of colon cancer cell growth by 43%.  German researchers found that components of apples and apple juice react in the colon and help to slow the growth of pre-cancerous and tumour cells.


Can Jazz Apples help protect my body against other diseases?

Apples are also packed with antioxidants, which help to reduce damage to cells.  The pectin in apples can help fight the damaging effects of LDL (also known as bad) cholesterol, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.

One study found that those who had consumed apples or apple products had a 30% decreased likelihood for raised diastolic blood pressure and a 21% reduced risk of increased waist circumference.

A study undertaken by St George’s Hospital in London suggested a link between good lung function and eating apples.

Acids that are found in apples not only make the fruit itself easily digestible, but even make it helpful in digesting other foods.  This is why an apple sauce traditionally accompanies rich or fatty meats such as pork and goose. 

OTHER APPLE NUTRITION LINKS

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/FiveADay/index.htm

http://www.usapple.org/index-c.cfm

http://www.applesforhealth.com/