An apple a day may not actually keep the doctor away, but it will offer some impressive health benefits! Apples contain antioxidants, vitamins, dietary fiber, and a range of other nutrients that taste great and will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
The CDC states “Using more fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean meats, nuts, and beans, is a safe and healthy way to lose or maintain weight. In addition, diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health.”
Adding apples to your diet may also fight off Alzheimer’s disease, decrease your risk of diabetes, reduce cholesterol, and even improve the health of your teeth! Cornell University researchers suggest apple peel compounds may slow the growth of cancer cells in the liver, colon, and breast.
There are more than 7,500 different varieties of apples grown in the world, with over 2,500 known varieties grown in the United States. In the U.S., the most popular varieties are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. In Ohio, there are about 40 known varieties of apples grown, and some are Ohio originals! Each variety has a unique appearance, flavor and texture.
October is National Farm to School month and celebration of the Great Lakes Great Apple Crunch – a wonderful time to crunch into an Ohio grown apple.
The Great Apple Crunch celebrates Ohio farmers, healthy kids, and strong communities! Participants from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio will buy, serve, and crunch into locally grown apples together at noon on Thursday, October 8, 2020. Visit www.cias.wisc.edu/applecrunch to learn more and register to participate in this fun event.
Sources
Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Apples, Julie Kennel Shertzer, February, 10, 2010, Ohio State University Extension https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5507
What to Know About Apples, Yvette Brazier, December 18, 2019, Medical News Today
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267290
How to Use Fruits and Vegetable to Help Manage Your Weight, August 17, 2020, Center for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/fruits_vegetables.html
13 Surprising Health Benefits of Apples That’ll Have You Eating One (or More) a Day, September 14, 2020, Reader’s Digest Best Health, https://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/nutrition/health-benefits-apples/
Written by: Heather Reister, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Butler County
Reviewed by: Jenny Lobb, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Franklin County
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