Why You Must Include Green Apple in Your Diet

When it comes to apples, the ubiquitous red apple is the one that you are likely to find in a family’s fruit basket. However, its cousin the green apple is just as nutritious and its unique tart taste and firm flesh make it perfect for cooking, baking and salads. Also called the Granny Smith, the green apple is a cultivar that was first introduced in Australia in 1868. The fruit is characterised by its light green colour and crisp yet juicy texture. The green apple takes well to the preservation and is a hardy variety that does not easily succumb to pests.

When it comes to health benefits, a green apple is just as nutritious as a red one. In fact, many people prefer the green apple for the lower carbohydrate content and high fibre. Read on as we tell you in detail about all that you stand to gain when you start including green apples in your diet.

Green Apple is Packed With Antioxidants

Like regular apples, green apples are rich in antioxidants like the flavonoids cyanidin and epicatechin that prevent our cells from suffering oxidative damage. These antioxidants also delay ageing and keep you youthful for longer. Drinking green apple juice or the fruit in its original form also protects from painful inflammatory diseases like rheumatism and arthritis.

Tip: Studies suggest that senior citizens could particularly benefit from the inflammation-beating antioxidants in green apple.

Green Apple is Rich in Fibre

Green apple is rich in fibre that helps keep your gut healthy and ups your metabolism rate as well. Apples also contain pectin, a type of fibre that is great for gut health. Pectin is a prebiotic that encourages the growth of good bacteria in the gut. The fibre content also helps in the detoxification process of the liver. To get the maximum fibre from green apple, eat the fruit with its skin.

Tip: Do wash it thoroughly though since apples are often heavily sprayed with pesticides to keep away pests.

Green Apple is Great for Heart Health

According to studies, the pectin in green apple reduces your LDL cholesterol levels. The high fibre content is also a boon for overall heart health. Studies say that those who consume green apples regularly have a lower chance of getting heart disease. Besides the fibre that lowers LDL, a green apple contains the flavonoid epicatechin that lowers blood pressure.

Tip: Adding apples to your diet leads to a 20% reduction in the chance of suffering a stroke.

Green Apple Has Plenty of Vitamins and Minerals

Instead of popping multi-vitamins every day, you would be better off getting your fill of green apples. This fruit is rich in a host of essential minerals and vitamin-like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc and the vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, folate and niacin. The high levels of vitamin C in the fruit make it super skin-friendly.

Not only do they prevent delicate skin cells from oxidative stress, but they also reduce the chances of you getting skin cancer. Green apple juice has Vitamin K that helps coagulation and clotting of blood. This helps when you need your wound to repair as quickly as possible or when you need to reduce extremely heavy menstrual bleeding.

Tip: Strengthen your bones and teeth by chomping on some green apple because it is rich in calcium.

Green Apple is a Great Weight Loss Aid

Making green apples an important part of your diet will aid you in your efforts to lose weight. This happens in various ways. For one, the fruit is low in fat and carbohydrate content so you can eat it to keep yourself from feeling hungry without suffering any adverse effects. Secondly, apples keep your metabolism high so eating at least one apple a day helps you burn more calories. Third, the fibre and water in apples keep you feeling full for longer. In fact, studies have shown that people who ate apples felt fuller than those who did not and ate 200 fewer calories.

There have been a number of studies on the weight loss benefits of apples. For instance, a 10-week study of 50 overweight women found that those who ate apples lost about a kg more and ate less than those who did not.

Tip: Add green apples to salads greens and walnuts and some feta cheese to make a wholesome yet tasty meal.

Green Apple is a Diabetes Aid

Studies have shown that those who ate a diet rich in green apple had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. A recent study also showed that eating a green apple every day would reduce your chances of getting type 2 diabetes by a whopping 28 percent. Even if you don’t manage to eat one every day, eating a few every week will still give you similar protective effects. Scientists say that this protective factor could be linked to polyphenols in apples that likely protect insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas from damage.

Tip: Never eat the seeds of green apples or any kind of apples because they are poisonous.

Green Apple Keeps us Mentally Fit

As we grow older, our mental faculties tend to slow down and we may also become prey to debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s. However, regular consumption of red or green apple in the form of juice or as the whole fruit may slow down age-related mental deterioration. Studies have shown that apple juice may help protect the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from age-related decline.

Low acetylcholine levels have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. Other studies have discovered that rats who were fed apples improved their memory significantly compared to those that weren’t.

Tip: While apple juice is good for you, eating them whole gives you the added benefits of fibre.

Green Apple is a Beauty Warrior

We all love foods that keep us looking and feeling beautiful. Well, apples are considered to be greatly beneficial for your skin and hair. For instance, applying an apple puree face mask will not just make your skin soft and supple but it will also remove wrinkles, nourish your skin and illuminate it from within.

Tip: Green apple is effective against acne and pimple outbreaks and can reduce the appearance of dark circles as well.

Hair Benefits of Green Apple

Green apple juice is effective in removing dandruff. Massage on to the dandruff-affected areas of your scalp and wash off. Also, consumption of green apple will improve your overall health and keep your hair fall under control and promote new hair growth.

Tip: Green apples taste great when baked in pies or tarts. Their sharp taste and firm flesh are perfect for desserts.

FAQs on Green Apple

Q. Can I use green apple for cooking?

A. Yes, indeed! Green apples are perfectly suited for cooking and baking as their firm flesh holds up well to high temperatures. The tart taste also adds a unique balance and flavour to sweet dishes like pies and tarts.

Q. Is green apple good for the digestive system?

A. Yes, green apple is very good for the digestive system because it contains fibre that keeps your bowels clean. It also has pectin that is a prebiotic that promotes gut health. So make sure you have your apple every day.

Q. Can diabetics have apples?

A. Yes, diabetics can eat apples without worrying as the fruit is low in carbohydrate and sugar content. In fact, the fibre in apples keeps you full and prevents you from snacking on unhealthy things. Studies have shown that people who eat apples are at a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.