Apple Fruit

Information and Health Benefits

The apple fruit is one of the most popular fruits worldwide. It's great tasting, crunchy, comes in a variety of colors and flavors, and makes a great snack. Every woman baby boomer should be eating an apple a day and enjoying its many health benefits

• Apples are low in calories. A medium apple provides about 95 calories, is practically fat-free, contains no cholesterol or salt.
• Antioxidants in apples protect nerve cells and can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
• Apples contain pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and blood fat levels, thus reducing the chances of heart disease.
• Apples are a source of insoluble fiber which aids digestion and helps relieve both diarrhea and constipation
• Apples help keep teeth and gums healthy.  Chewing an apple with its skin promotes the production of saliva which washes away bacteria.
• The apple fruit has grown in Asia and Europe for thousands of years and was brought the North America by colonists in the early 1600's. There are more than 7500 types of apples grown worldwide, and the United States grows about 2500 of them. Some popular types of apples are: Cortland, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Empire, Fuji, Gala, McIntosh, Cripps Pink, Granny Smith, and Winesap.China is the largest grower and exporter of apples, producing 41 percent of the world's apples. The United States is the second largest producer, but Chile is the second largest exporter. Apples grow in all 50 states, but Washington State is the largest producer (60%) followed by New York and Michigan.