Page 19 - October 2020

Apples

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” It may
also be true that an apple a day keeps the dentist
away. Apples have long been considered “nature’s
toothbrush” because their thick skins and fibrous
flesh are just the right texture for the natural
brushing of the teeth.

Besides that, apples are packed with other

health benefits. They contain a high amount of
antioxidants, fiber, phytonutrients and vitamins
that help to keep the body in optimum state.
Apples contain no caffeine, but they do have 13
grams of natural sugar. Your stomach digests
this sugar fairly quickly, and it raises your blood
pressure, thus zapping your brain awake. There
are no jolts, mood swings, jitters, crash, or
anxiety involved here, unlike with caffeine. Most

of the energy is due to the natural glucose in
the fruit, which is digested and fed to the body’s
cells. The “awake feeling” lasts about as long
as it takes the body to metabolize the apple. A
medium apple is about 90 calories and is a great
idea to add to your breakfast or in place of your
morning coffee. Believe it or not, apples are
more effective in waking you up in the morning
than coffee is. Coffee is just such an enjoyable
beverage to most people, that there’s probably no
danger of Starbucks being run out of business by

apples. With that being said, an apple is going to
be a healthier alternative to coffee, especially if
you pour artificial syrups and sugary creamers in
your morning cup. Not to mention, apples will
not stain your teeth the way coffee can. It may
not replace that beloved first cup of coffee in the
morning, but it may replace the second.

Jewel Gonzalez

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