An Apple a day

I went to the mall this weekend as part of tradition, in search of my favorite autumn & holiday scented candles. It is something I look forward to each & every year, and my eyes get wide, my heart beats fast, and I dare say I feel like a child in anticipation of Christmas morning. As I entered the mecca that has seemed to perfect the art of bottling up memory invoking scents, I found reassurance that I was not alone in my feeling of content, as may others were lost in memories past. There were fall wreath scents, pumpkin pie, autumn breeze, and the ever so popular, Macintosh apple, just to name a very few.

I was in heaven as I indulged my nose to numerous scents of fall Heaven and the occasional coffee bean clear. My mouth watered as I envisioned pumpkin pies baking in the oven & taking long crisp walks amongst the crunching colorful leaves fallen beneath my feet. And the plethora of possibilities for fresh apple delights...oh, my mind went from picking my own apples in orchards with my mom, to my grandma's kitchen at the farm, to my own kitchen full or floured counters, bowls of peeled apples, and helpful kids. I was quite literally at peace.

Fall brings about so many good memories for me, it's no wonder I love it so much. Although there are no apple orchards, pumpkin patches, or wooded areas here to create lasing memories such as mine for my children, there are many other ways to incorporate Fall fruits into new, and just at meaningful, memories. Apples come chalked with so many possibilities, both with their variety of colors, flavors, and uses. I will be sure to post an apple oriented recipe for Wednesday, but for today, I thought it would be fitting to discuss the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the Dr. away."

I wanted to know...is that REALLY TRUE? Not only did I find that, Yes, it is true, but I was able to pinpoint 8 main reasons why that saying holds true, and also an explanation why they have been linked to aide in weight loss.

1. Apple contains Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps greatly your immune system.
2. Apples are rich in flavonoid, and flavonoid prevents heart diseases.
3. Apples are low in calories. A regular size apple has between 70-100 calories
4. Apples target multiple cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer in women.
5. Apples contain phenols, which have a double effect on cholesterol. It reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.
6. The juice of the apples has properties that can kill up to 80% of bacteria in your mouth, thereby preventing tooth decay.
7. Apples have substances called phytonutrients, which prevents neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's Disease.
8. Apples promote healthier lungs.

So, how do all of their nutrition and health benefits aide with weight loss?

According to weight loss for all.com, apples are low in calories and fat, low in sodium and contain vitamins, minerals as well as fiber. These can all help to lose weight in different ways. The low calories means we can eat lots of apples without consuming too much energy. The fiber helps by filling the stomach quicker, again limiting the amount of food eaten. Lower sodium intakes helps flush excess water weight from the body, and the vitamins benefit us by increasing health and vitality to keep us active throughout the day. Increased vitality enables us to burn extra calories thus speeding up weight loss.

Another positive benefit of eating apples is the high water content of the fruit. The consumption of apples and other fruits with a high water content helps us take in more water. Many people today simply don't drink enough clean water and research has shown that food cravings or an increased appetite may be driven to gain extra water in food. Water consumption can also give us more energy and help increase metabolism. Many people are discovering the benefits of eating high water foods such as apples and other fruits to help lose weight.

If you're reading this all the while thinking, "Too bad I don't like apples," then you're probably under the false impression that there are only either RED or GREEN apples. Did you know that there are over 16 varieties of apples, just on this continent alone? More varieties are available this time of year than any other, so I'm challenging you to a quest in search of an apple never before crunched by your teeth. Your body will thank you, and so will I.

Until Tomorrow!

Keep healthy, keep safe and keep going!

Have an awesome day!

♥Fit~NOW~Girl♥