Why Apples Are Still on Top

The apple, of course, is the celebrity of the fruit world. It is most famously responsible for the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (the fig and its leaves still haven't gotten over that the apple stole its thunder), and it gets the glory in that oft-recited line, " an apple a day keeps the doctor away."

"Pomegranate" or "acai berry" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

So even though the more exotic fruits threaten to steal the spotlight, the apple's show is never going to flop because as Matt Damon said to the kinda jerky guy trying to steal Minnie Driver away at the bar in Boston in "Good Will Hunting,": "how about them apples?"

Let's (re)consider this fine fruit. FitSugar points out the highlights of why we should all incorporate more apples into our diet include:

1. Apples are in season now and they are a relatively inexpensive fruit. Plus they don't lose much of the nutritional punch if they are stored for long periods of time, making them a perfect autumnal fruit. They travel well, too - throw one into your bag in the morning for a snack later in the day.
2. A medium apple contains three grams of fiber, which is 10 percent of your daily recommended intake. Eating 30 grams of fiber per day has been shown to decrease your risk of developing ovarian cancer.
3. Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. This means they'll help decrease your LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) as well as help keep you regular.
4. The pectin found in apples helps remove toxins like lead and mercury from your body.
5. Apple skins have high flavanoid content, which not only provide high antioxidant protection, but help prevent heart disease as well.

A Waldorf Salad makes the most of this superfood. Try it tonight.

[Via FitSugar]

Photo courtesy dydada@sxc.hu