APPLE : Vital Nutrients and Health Benefits

Scientific Name :  Malus domestica

Origination : Most online research site will say that Apple came from Asia, specifically, in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Xinjian, China), from where, Apple's "wild" relative still exists. (You see, Apples, in this day and age, are already domesticated, hence its scientific name).

Apple is one of the most cultivated fruit in the world. World's top apple producers are China, United States, Turkey, Poland and Italy. In fact, there are over 7,000 known varieties of Apple.


Health Benefits from APPLE
An Apple a day, will it keep the doctor away? Find out the health benefits we can get from an Apple :

• Protection from Osteoporosis - a flavanoid called phloridzin protects post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. This flavanoid can only be found in Apple.
• Asthma - Apple juice, if taken daily, have shown to help children suffering from Asthma.
• It has been shown to lower LDL or the "bad" Cholesterol because of the substance Pectin.
• The substance Pectin also helps in the management of Diabetes
• The same Pectin helps reduce the risk of Colon and Liver Cancer
• Studies have shown that Apples help to protect the brain from oxidative damage that causes neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's
• Apple reduces the risk of Lung Cancer due to its high level of Flavonoids Quercetin and Naringin

Warning : Don't Eat those APPLE Seeds
Apple seeds contain CYANIDE -  a harmful chemical which will kill you if taken in lethal dosages. Poor Snow White, had she known this fact, she wouldn't have fallen in the hands of that witch.


An Apple A Day, Will It Really Keep The Doctor Away?
Let us examine, just how much nutritious an Apple is. Below is the Nutritional Value of an Apple (as per 100g) :

VITAMINS		MINERALS		OTHER NUTRIENTS
Vitamins	Contents	Minerals	Contents	Other Nutrients	Contents
Vit. A	54 IU	Calcium	6.0 mg	Protein	0.26 g
Vit. B1	0.017 mg	Iron	0.12 mg	Fiber	2.40 g
Vit. B2	0.026 mg	Magnesium	5.0 mg	Carbohydrates	13.81 g
Vit. B3	0.091 mg	Phosphorous	11.0 mg	Beta-Carotene	27.0 mcg
Vit. B5	0.061 mg	Potassium	107.0 mg	Lycopene	0 mcg
Vit. B6	0.041 mg	Sodium	1.0 mg	Water	g
Vit. B8	3.0 mg	Zinc	0.040 mg	Cholesterol	0 mg
Vit. C	4.60 mg	Copper	0.027 mg	Energy	kcal
Vit. E	0.180 mg	Manganese	0.035 mg	Total Sugar	g
Vit. K	2.20 mg	Selenium	0 mcg	Cholesterol	mg