The AwesomeApple: Why An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away (NAPSA)—We’re all familiar with the age-old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But, do you know whythis frequently uttered phrase is true? According to nutritionists, both apples and apple products are loaded with a variety of nutrients that have been shown to help maintain your health: laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA HumanNutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. He explains that these compounds, called flavonoids, are powerful antioxidants that are associated with reducing therisk for many diseases associated with aging—such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. Just one apple contains as much soluble fiber as a piece of whole wheat bread or a half cup of raw broccoli. This type of dietary fiber has been shown to both help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugarlevels. Apples, apple juice and apple sauce are great sources of both the natural sugar, fructose and water—which provide a natural source of energy to keep you moving and hydrated throughout the day. At just 80 calories, an apple is a low-calorie, tasty treat for those watching their weight. Apples and apple products contain between 3 and 8 percent of the Daily Value for potassium. Consuming 3,500 milligrams of this essential nutrient each day may help reduce high blood pressure. Apples are also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C. This antioxidant aids in guarding the body against damaging free radicals, those nasty compounds that accumulate in our bodies and ultimately wreak havoc on our healthy cells. Apples provide about 10-15 percent of the recommended daily intake (DV)of vitamin C. On top of all of those fabulous nutrition facts, apples are naturally 100 percent cholesterol, fat, and BITE ON THIS—At just 80 calories, an apple is a low-calorie, tasty treat for those watching their weight. sodium free—which makethis fruit a nutritious nibble for those concerned with their heart’s health. As you can see, there are a number of reasons to dive into a jar of applesauce or grab an apple for an on-the-go treat. However, researchers only recently discovered the true power behind one of America’s favorite fruits. In the September 2002 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Paul Knekt and col- leagues reported that eating apples regularly may help reduce the risk of asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. This is just one of several studies that have linked health benefits to a newly discovered class of compounds that are abundant in both apples and a variety of apple-based foods. “Nutrition scientists have identified other disease fighting compounds, besides vitamin C, in apples,” explains Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, an associate director andchief of antioxidants research According to nutrition researchers at Cornell University, almost all of the apple’s diseasefighting fury comes from these recently revealed phytonutrients. “Just one small fresh apple with the peel (approximately 100 grams) provides the total antioxidant activity equal to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C,” states Dr. Rui Hai Liu, assistant professor in the Departmentof Food Science at Cornell. And, “while it’s the peel that’s highly concentrated in these phytonutrients, all parts of the apple contribute to its health-protecting benefits,” says Lori Stern, R.D., a nutritionist with Mott’s Inc., the nation’s leading producer of branded apple juice and sauce. But, the good news doesn’t stop there. If you’re a fan of applesauce andapple juice, research has found that these foods contain many of the same nutrients found in the whole apple. Just remember, every time you pour yourself a glass of refreshing 100-percent apple juice, dive into a jar of applesauce, or grab a piece of this fantastic fruit, you're not only satisfying your sweet tooth; you’re also helping your body defeat disease. For more information and recipes, log onto www.motts.com or call 1-800-426-4891.
