An apple a day keep weight loss programs at bay

Source: urbanext.illinois.edu

Maybe an apple a day won’t keep weight loss programs away entirely, but they’ll help you have success with them—and if you incorporate them into your diet for the long term, apples will help you maintain permanent results.

Crisp juicy apples are like the wallflowers of the superfoods. These days, people are more wowed by flashier fruits, such as Acai, Goji berries, mangoes and pomegranates. But did you know that most medical weight loss centers recommend apples for their myriad health benefits?

An obvious reason that apples help individuals achieve success with programs for weight loss is their volume—apples are low in calories yet high in soluble fiber. Apples are rich in pectin, a form of fiber that is often used in various products for weight loss. Pectin provides galacturonic acid, which lowers the body’s need for insulin, helps prevent spikes in blood sugar and may help with diabetes management.

Research shows that apples are strongly linked to improved heart health. Eating apples is proven to lower the risk of both coronary and cardiovascular disease. In addition, they are a great source of vitamin C, which boosts our immune systems. One apple alone can provide 14 percent of the RDA of vitamin C!

Studies conducted in Finland report a decreased risk of stroke, and experts worldwide tout its antioxidant compounds for lowering LDL (‘bad”) cholesterol— you can reduce your cholesterol by almost 16 percent simply by eating two apples a day. They also have significant anti-inflammatory effects. It makes perfect sense that physicians at medical weight loss centers recommend getting apples into your diet.

Another important benefit that makes eating apples so essential for easy weight loss programs is that they protect against metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers also believe that the high levels of flavonoids in apples reduce the risk of various cancers, particularly lung, breast, liver and colon. French researchers found that apple-specific flavonoids decrease the risk of osteoporosis among post-menopausal women and may also increase bone density. In addition, apples contain boron, which strengthens bones.

Eating apples before exercising may also boost your stamina. Apples are packed with an antioxidant called quercetin, which makes more oxygen available to your lungs, thereby increasing endurance—probably another reason they make good ingredients for products for weight loss!

Make your apple pick for your daily routine and start eating them today! It doesn’t matter whether you choose Fuji, Granny Smith or Red Delicious—recent research shows that even eating dried apples help people lose weight. The bottom line: apples satisfy your hunger and promote weight loss while providing a host of nutritional benefits.