Here is why an apple a day is important to your life

Apples are very beneficial to your health and here's why:

* They contain polyphenols - these are certain important nutrients that are beneficial to health and mostly play a protective role. They include flavonoids and anthocyanins. Research shows that these polyphenols are actually able to regulate sugar levels and avoid spikes.

* Antioxidant benefits - the polyphenols also function as antioxidants. Particularly strong is the ability of apples to decrease oxidation of cell membrane fats. This benefit is especially important in our cardiovascular system since oxidation of fat in the cell membranes that line our blood vessels is a primary risk factor for clogging of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and other cardiovascular problems.

Apples' strong antioxidant benefits are also related to their ability to lower the risk of asthma in numerous studies, and their ability to lower risk of lung cancer.

In addition to their unusual polyphenol composition, apples also provide us with about eight milligrams of vitamin C. While that amount is not a lot, it is still important, especially since the recycling of vitamin C in our body depends on the presence of flavonoids and apples do an amazing job of providing us with those flavonoids.

* Anti-cancer research presents evidence of lowered cancer risk with fruit and vegetable consumption. Of high importance here though is the ability of apples to reduce the risk of lung cancer. It is not yet well known why apples have a strong effect on the risk of lung cancer, though the richness in antioxidants is definitely a factor. Research is ongoing to establish the facts in relation to this.

* Satiety – an apple a few minutes before a meal is enough to reduce the amount of calories you can consume during that meal because of the satiety it provides. This is good news for weight watchers.

Be sure to eat the whole apple for maximum benefits.