Healing Food Series: Apples

Continuing with my healing food series, September’s focus is on apples. If you aren’t familiar with this series you can read more about it in this post , but each month I highlight a certain food and discuss how it can be used to heal the body.

You know that old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well there just might be some truth to that as apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavanoids, and dietary fiber. They’re incredibly good for you, and eating them has been linked to a lower risk of many major diseases. Below I’ve listed some of it’s many health benefits.

1. Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. They also contain polyphenols (plant compounds) which can have numerous health benefits.

2. Apples are high in fiber and water, two qualities that make them filling, which can aid in weight loss.

3. Apples promote heart health in several ways. They’re high in soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. Polyphenols, are linked to lower blood pressure and stroke risk.

4. Eating apples is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. This is possibly due to their polyphenol antioxidant content.

5. Apples contain pectin, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic. This means it feeds the good bacteria in your gut.

6. Apples have several naturally occurring compounds that may help fight cancer.

7. Apples contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help regulate immune responses and protect against asthma.

8. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in fruit help promote bone density and bone health.

This time of year apples are in abundance, and there are so many ways in which to use them. The most obvious is whole or chopped into slices, but there are also many ways in which this magical fruit is used. I’ve included 15+ recipes below to help you get started.

**Please note, you will get the greatest benefits from apples by eating the whole fruit, both skin and flesh.

Roasted Delicata Squash Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Jessica Levinson

Endive Leaves with Cheddar, Apples, Bacon and Dates
Key Ingredients