Another Reason To Eat Apples Daily: They Help Increase Muscle And Prevent Obesity and Diabetes
We know that eating an apple a day without removing the peel definitely keeps disease at bay. The key is to first grow your own apples since both conventional and organic apples found in grocery retailers are subject to high levels of pesticides and antibiotics. If you can’t grow your own, find a local grower in your community who is vigilant about organic farming practices. Second, eat a minimum of two apples per day and never remove the peel.
Canadian scientists have found that the fruit is more effective than other “superfoods” including green tea and blueberries as a source of antioxidants and chemical compounds called flavonoids that combat potentially life-threatening conditions.
Scientists also found that apples significantly lowered blood fat levels in postmenopausal women, the group most at risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Just two apples a day could help protect women against heart disease lowering blood fat levels by almost 25 percent, a claim unattainable by cardiovascular prescription medications.
Previous researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine have determined that drinking apple juice and eating apples has a beneficial effect on risk factors for heart disease.
In 2009, a Polish study revealed two apples a day also halved the risk of bowel cancer in adults.
The Power of Ursolic Acid
Ursolic acid – a waxy substance found in apple peel – increases muscle and brown fat. The substance is present in many plants including apples, basil, bilberries, cranberries, elder flower, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, oregano, thyme, hawthorn, and prunes. Apple peels contain large quantities of ursolic acid and related compounds.
Mice given ursolic acid supplements burn more calories and have reduced obesity levels, pre-diabetes and fatty liver disease than the mice that do not receive the supplement. Researhers believe that this might be helpful in reducing obesity.