The Skinny
An apple a day may not keep the doctor away, but Harvard University did report that adults who consume one each day tend to take fewer prescriptions than those who don’t. So, it couldn’t hurt. Of course, having an apple a day means a lot of apples over the course of the year. Thankfully, there are plenty of different apples to choose from, all of which have distinct flavors and nutritional make ups. Here is a list of some of the most popular.
The Slate
These apples are rich in flavonoids (plant pigment) that may just help maintain heart health. Flavonoids do this by helping to regulate blood pressure and protect against heart disease by improving blood vessel relaxation and enhancing nitric oxide status.
Granny Smith is the clear winner when it comes to antioxidants that prevent obesity-related disorders. They also hold their own when it comes to having a high content of fiber and polyphenols, which spurs the growth of friendly bacteria in the colon. All good stuff.
These apples are at the top of the list for many when it comes to taste thanks to their crisp and juicy flavor. Great for cooking and eating raw, they also store well. Their benefits don’t end there. A medium Honeycrisp apple has 5 grams of fiber and only 80 calories, which makes them a great way to suppress a person’s appetite. The apple’s pectin levels could also help lower cholesterol.
Macouns offer many of the same nutritional benefits as other apples but provide a unique sweet-tart flavor that makes them highly sought after. Described as harder and crisper than a McIntosh, Macouns give off hints of strawberry and spices.
Jonagolds are big apples with flesh that is crisp and juicy and somewhat tart. They are cholesterol-free and contain Vitamins A and C, potassium, as well as pectin, a dietary fiber that lowers cholesterol levels and slows glucose metabolism in diabetics.
This variety is prized for its sweet and rich flavor that’s akin to spicy apple cider with hints of honey and even gingerbread-like scents. Readily available, they do have thin skins, which means they bruise easily.
RubyFrost apples are crisp with a mild and balanced, sweet-tart flavor. Their flavor reputably improves after they’ve been stored a few weeks. On a nutritional front, RubyFrost apples contain Vitamin C, potassium, boron, various phytochemicals and about 20 percent of the daily recommended value of dietary fiber.
SnapDragon apples have a very sweet, subtly tart flavor with hints of vanilla, melon and spices. High in fiber and Vitamin C, which supports immune systems, boosts collagen production and reduces inflammation. They also contain smaller amounts of calcium, Vitamins E and K, phosphorus, and potassium.
Eyes Up
What’s your daily apple jack? Let us know at info@wellwellusa.com
