Health Benefits of Apples #healthy

Health Benefits of Apples #healthy

Apple a day really does keep the Dr away!! Ok that is a saying I have heard about Apples, Who knew all these benefits that you can get, for your health from an Apple?

Apples for good health

Apples are rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, with the content varying among the over 7,000 varieties known. Vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that help to build a strong immune system and fight chronic diseases, besides slowing ageing. Apples are also an excellent source of disease-fighting soluble fibre in the form of pectin. The high pectin content helps in lowering cholesterol as well as acts like a laxative by bulking the stool. Pectin also helps to bind toxic metals such as mercury and lead and excrete them out of the body. Cooked apples are also known to relieve diarrheoa, dysentery and colitis. In fact, apples and apple juice are rich in polyphenols such as tannins (tannic acid) that are potent enemies of viruses, particularly herpes simplex virus. Tannins also have anti-oxidant properties, which help in disease protection, including cancer prevention. Apart from being high in nutrients, apples are great for weight-watchers and diabetics. With a glycaemic index of 50, apples keep you going for longer on low calories. They contain a high proportion of fructose -- a sugar metabolised slowly in the body -- and helps to maintain blood sugar levels. Apples are also a wonderful aid to digestion. Malic and tartaric acid regulate stomach acidity and help in digestion of protein and fat. COOKING: Some apples are only suitable for eating raw, but most can be cooked to make desserts such as apple pies, cakes, cobblers, crumbles, crepes, tarts, strudels and baked apples. Aromatic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves highlight their flavour. DUTCH APPLE CAKE: For the cake Apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced, 750 gms; brown sugar, 250 gms (one cup); unsalted butter, 250 gms; buttermilk, 180 ml (3/4 cup); flour, one cup; wholewheat flour, one cup; baking powder, one tsp; baking soda, one tsp; cinnamon, one tsp; cardamom, one tsp; salt, half tsp. For the topping Brown sugar, 1/4cup (45 gm); cinnamon, one tsp; chopped walnuts, five tbs; unsalted butter (chilled and cubed), two tbs. Method: Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Butter and flour a 9-inch baking dish. Toss the apples with a little of the sugar. Cream the remaining sugar with the butter. Beat in the buttermilk. Add the apples to the creamed mixture. To make the topping, mix the sugar, cinnamon, walnuts and butter together and keep aside. Sift the dry ingredients. Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until blended. Pour the batter into the pan and sprinkle the topping over the batter. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and serve. HT Media Ltd 
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