Celebrate National Apple Month!

It’s often said that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” And with good reason. Studies show that apples may impact your health in a number of beneficial ways:

• Boost Brain Power: A growing body of evidence suggests that eating apples and apple products can be beneficial when it comes to improving brain health and lowering your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s.
• Reduce Cholesterol: Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that has been linked to lower levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Pectin works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol, helping the body to use it rather than store it.
• Improve Your Immune System: Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when you're stressed out.
• Curb Cancer: People who eat apples every day may be at a lower risk for developing certain types of cancer, including skin, mouth, pancreatic and colon cancer, likely due to the assortment of phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Decrease Your Risk of Diabetes: Research shows that eating at least two servings each week of whole fruits - particularly apples, blueberries and grapes - significantly reduces your risk for type 2 diabetes by as much as 23%!

Now that you’re hungry for apples, you’ll be glad to know October is National Apple Month, the perfect excuse to visit an apple orchard! And this year has been a great year for the apple crop. Of the 7,500 varieties of apples grown worldwide, 100 varieties are grown commercially in the US. Bring your family to the apple orchard for a day of fun, education, exercise and delicious apples! Whether you prefer the tart taste of a Granny Smith, or sweet and crunchy sensations of a Red Delicious, there are tons of ways to use this fall fruit! 

Here are some of our favorite healthy apple recipes:

• Updated Waldorf Salad: Use low-fat mayo mixed with apples, grapes, dried cranberries, celery and walnuts for this chunky salad that renews a classic and curbs mid-afternoon hunger. Get the recipe here.
• Apple Muffins: These muffins have a double dose of apple! They’re made with applesauce and chunks of tender apple. Try it here.
• Apple Slaw: Try this healthy version of coleslaw for a sweet and crunchy side. At only 2 grams of fat and 10 grams of carbs per serving, it's the perfect complement to any barbecue dish. Get the recipe here.
• Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips: Transform your bushels of apples into crunchy chips! Once you perfect the slicing, you’ll want to make a huge batch of these sweet crisps. The hardest part will be waiting out the three-hour baking and cool time. Try this recipe here.
• Juice Plus+ Complete Spiced Apple & Raisin Nutrition Bars: It may be not be a recipe per say, but we can’t share our favorite uses of apples without naming our own Juice Plus+ Complete bars. Our delicious Spiced Apple + Raisin bars are not only tasty but packed with protein and fiber to help you replace empty calories with healthy ones. They’re the perfect snack for any diet. Get yours here.

Celebrate National Apple Month by getting in the habit of enjoying an apple each day. Your doctor will thank you!

How will you enjoy this delicious fall fruit during the month of October? Let us know below!  

Sources:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/15-health-benefits-of-eating-apples

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/apples/facts.cfm