Words of Wisdom: An Apple A Day
Oct 24, 2016
We are celebrating the #LiveWellAppleCrunch this week!
Apple Crunch Day is part of National Food Day, an opportunity to promote eating healthy foods – like apples! The first Apple Crunch took place in The Big Apple (New York City) in 2013, and the popular event has since spread across the country.
Here's an interesting fact: Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.
More than 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States, but only the crabapple is native to North America. The average U.S. consumer eats about 19 pounds of fresh apples a year, or about one apple per week.
With the number of varieties available, you can easily find an apple to fit your taste. Gravenstein, Pippin, and Granny Smith apples are the most tart. Braeburn and Fuji apples are a bit sweeter. Red, Golden Delicious, and Honeycrisp are among the sweetest varieties.
But what's even better than their taste are the many health benefits that come from eating apples!
- Apples are a great source of fiber. Fiber in your diet can help reduce, blood sugar swings, lower cholesterol, and fill you up without costing you too many calories.
- The polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C found in apples make it an excellent source of antioxidant nutrients. Red apples, for example, contain an antioxidant called quercetin that can help boost your immune system.
- Apples contain no fat, no sodium and no cholesterol!
- Apples and apple products can help reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or "bad" cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease.
- Don't peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. Antioxidants help to reduce damage to cells, which can trigger some diseases.
Maybe an apple a day really can keep the doctor away!
If kept in cold storage (35 to 40° Fahrenheit or 2 to 4° Celsius), apples can be stored for up to three to four months with minimal loss of nutrients. Keep your apples in the crisper bin of a refrigerator with a bit of moisture provided by a damp cloth. To maximize the length of time your apples can be stored, be sure to remove any apples that have been bruised.
Looking for new ways to try apples?
Our October feature recipe is for Yummy Apple Nachos.
Here are a few other sweet and savory apple recipes:
We are celebrating the #LiveWellAppleCrunch all week, so join us and get crunching! Take pictures of you crunching on an apple with family, friends or coworkers and post them using the hashtag #LiveWellAppleCrunch. We may just feature your photo on our website and social media pages!
Want to host your own apple crunch event? Download our handy guide!
