The health benefits of eating apples are enormous, and the apple is the most sought after and admired food of the world, and is the second most popular fruit bought in the United States.

Not only are apples good for you, but you will also start to look and feel better, because they are a natural weight loss and fat burner food. This is because they have no fat, no cholesterol, no sodium, and are low in calories. This fat free food makes a perfect snack which is already prepared, and can be easily taken with you when away from home.

People today, with their busy lives, may have a strong desire to eat healthy, but either do not have the time for preparation, or they simply do not know which foods are good for them.

The American Heart Association recommends that 25 Grams of fiber be consumed daily.

Apples have both soluble and insoluble fiber. The fiber that reduces cholesterol is the soluble fiber, and 80% of the fiber in apples is soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is also known as pectin, and the apple wins all prizes for having the most pectin of all fruits.

For those who are wishing to lose weight, the pectin in apples is what decreases appetite for about 4 hours, by giving a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. This makes for a fabulous natural appetite suppressant to help people to lose weight, while at the same time providing superb nutritional value. The pectin also helps by:

1. Lessening the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

2. Helps to lower blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of strokes. One reason for this is that the apple does not contain any sodium. It also lowers blood pressure with its fiber content. Cardiovascular disease was also lowered by the nutritional value of the apple. Many people with high blood pressure and heart disease are encouraged to lose weight, and the apple is certainly a food they will want to eat to help many in their struggle to maintain a proper weight.

3. The risk of colon cancer was decreased, because the fiber known as roughage is a benefit against constipation. Fiber intake also reduces the incidence of diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. A study done at Cornell University, determined that the phytochemicals in the skin of an apple inhibited the reproduction of colon cancer cells by 43%.

4. The anti-oxidants in apples help protect cells and tissues from free radical damage, by reducing oxidation. The antioxidants in one apple are approximately equal to the antioxidant benefit of 1500mgm of Vitamin C, and the apple peel has more antioxidant power in the peel of an apple than the flesh.

Additional health benefits of apples are:

1. They are a good plan of defense against the disabling progression of osteoporosis by their essential trace element boron.

2. The peel protects the liver from cancerous cells.

3. They exert dental health with the tannins, which have anti-inflammatory protective qualities that may help periodontal and gum disease due to their ability to inhibit some bacteria from binding to one another and causing dental plaque. Tannins may also help in the prevention of urinary tract infections.

4. Protects against eye disorders and rheumatism.

Apples are also rich in Vitamin A, and most of the concentration of this vitamin lies just beneath the skin. They also have Vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin, and Vitamin K, as well as numerous minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

The apple certainly ranks high for those wanting to lose weight, as being a filling, available and nutritious food that can be a constant companion for those that need to have a snack readily available to avoid eating a sugary or fatty non-nutritious food.

Quercetin is a flavonoid which is abundant in apples. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and protects against free radicals. This protective action thus inhibits cancerous changes to take place in cells. Quercetin also helps persons with Crohn's disease, reduces the risk of gout, exerts protective qualities against cataracts and macular degeneration.

The National Cancer Institute reported that the flavonoids like those found in apples had the potential to reduce the risk of lung cancer by a substantial amount.

Parents would be wise to pack an apple in their children's school lunch bag, as the quercetin in apples acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine , and decreases bronchial hypersensitivity in asthmatics and allergic persons, as well as teaching healthy eating habits to their children.

Apples are so nutritious for everyone, either for someone with an already existing medical condition or for anyone who wants to stay healthy, and of course, anyone wanting to lose weight will by all means improve their health.

These round red, green, and yellow beauties really do belong under the saying of "Eat An Apple and Keep The Doctor Away".

So the next time that you are at the grocery store or fresh produce market, think to take home with you some of these tart and crispy or sweet and mellow exceptionally nutritious apples.