Superfoods -> Apples

Over the next few weeks I am going to introduce you to Superfoods.  According to Dr. Steven Pratt, a superfood has three qualifications: It has to be readily available to the public, it has to contain nutrients that are known to enhance longevity, and its health benefits have to be backed by peer-reviewed, scientific studies.
1st up on our list of Superfoods are apples:

An apple a day is perhaps one of the most delicious prescriptions ever made. Apples are a powerful source of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, as well as good source of fiber, and potassium. There are only 47 calories in an average sized apple. The secret behind the super antioxidant capacity of the apple is its skin. The apple skin alone provides two to six times the antioxidant activity of the apple flesh alone. So it is important to eat the skin to obtain the full health benefits of apples.

There are many different varieties of apples, and each of these varieties has their own unique skin color. Along with these differences in skin color come differences in the chemical make up of the skin itself, as the phytonutrient content varies in concentration and types of polyphenols present. For instance, in the United States, Fuji apples have the highest total phenilic and total flavonoid content of any apple. Because of this, it is important to eat a wide variety of apples to ensure that a balance of all of these antioxidant agents is maintained.

Along with being a supercharged source of antioxidants, apples are also high in fiber content. One large apple has 5.7 grams of fiber, which is 30 percent of the minimum amount of daily fiber intake, as listed by the daily values (DV). Diets that are high in fiber have been highly correlated with a reduction in risk of developing heart disease. Thus eating an apple a day provides a delicious snack for both you and your heart. Aside from its link to heart health, the apple, with its supercharged antioxidant content, has also been linked to the prevention of lung cancer, improved pulmonary (lung) function, and the prevention of type II diabetes. So eat an apple a day, and it just may keep the doctor away.

SOURCE ARTICLE HERE