Is the above line too hard to accept? If you read ahead, let us warn you already, you are going to love this fruit a little more. We can say, it is going to be the ‘apple’ of your eye. We all have been hearing about the benefits of apples for elders, since childhood. Whenever there is talk of fruits for health, the first name that often pops our mind is apple. This red fruit contains almost all of the nutritious ingredients, which are considered beneficial for our overall health.
In this blog, we will discuss the amazing facts and health benefits of apples, especially for elders. Okay, so now let’s allow us to kick off with some apple-absolutely amazing facts about this fruit.
Fact No. 1: Apples Are Nutritious.
This, to us, is no news, right? Read more! One medium-sized apple provides us with the following:
- 95 g Calories
- Potassium: 6% of RDI
- 25 g Carbohydrates
- Vitamin C: 14% of RDI
- 4 g Fibres
- Vitamin K: 5% of RDI
Fact No. 2: Apples Are Good for Weight Loss/Management of Elders.
Apples contain fibre and water, which are these two qualities that make digestion of food and metabolism very easy. In a survey, it was found that people who had an apple, found it heavier and fuller on their stomach rather than other fruits.
In the very same survey, it was found that people who didn’t start their meals with apple slices, consumed 200 calories more than those who did. Also, another 10-week study among 50 overweight women, those who had oats and oat cookies gained more than people who consumed apples for weeks at a stretch. The experts who conducted the research think that apples are more fulfilling because they’re scarce in energy-dense, and yet provide us with fibre and volume.
Fact No 3: Apples Are Great Friends of Elder’s Heart.
This fruit has been linked to better heart health. The primary reason for this could be associated with soluble fibres present in apples. Apples help bring down the blood cholesterol levels, which are the most important factors for elder’s health. Also, their peels contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants in nature.
One of them is the flavonoid epicatechin, which again lowers the blood cholesterol levels. Statins are a class of drug that is meant to lower the cholesterol level in blood, are enriched in apples. Studies over the period have proven that apples, when consumed daily can help decrease more cholesterol than the said drugs.
Fact No 4: Lowers The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
In one big survey, it was studied that eating one whole apple a day can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 28%, that which when compared against not having apples. Even, eating less apples within a regular interval of days resulted in same productive outcome.
The polyphenols in apple skin may lessen the tissue damage, which might occur to beta cells in the pancreas. These cells are for producing insulin in the elder’s body and are often damaged in people with type 2 diabetes, and the same could be avoided with regular intakes of apple.
Fact No 5: Apple May Have Prebiotic Effects and Promote Gut Bacteria Which is Good for Elders Health.
Apples contain a substance called pectin. To those who are wondering, this is a type of fibre that acts well as a prebiotic. Meaning that it feeds the good bacteria in our intestine.
Talk about good gut feeling.
Our small intestine doesn’t very well absorb fibre during digestion, and instead of this, it goes to our colon, a place where it can push and promote the growth of good bacteria. It also helps to turn into other compounds that are useful to elders and is circulated back and forth through the body.
New studies on the same, points towards that this may be the reason behind some of the protective effects of apples against weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disorders.
Fact No 6: Substances in Apples May Help Prevent Cancer.
Test-tube experiments have shown a strong connection between the plant-compound in apples and an extensively dissolved down risk of cancer. To add to this, studies in women documented that eating apples were linked with lowering the rates of death caused by cancer. Scientists believe that the antioxidant behaviour of the fruit peel and also the anti-inflammatory effects might be responsible for the divine potential, to provide us with these cancer-preventive effects.
Fact No 7: Apples Contain Compounds That Can Help Fight Asthma.
Everybody knows what Asthma is, and nobody wants to play doctor with it; but this fruit just might want to. Antioxidant-rich apples might just be able to help protect our soft sponge lungs from the oxidative damage.
The skin of an apple contains the flavonoid quercetin, which can help regulate the immune system and heals inflammation. With this, asthma and allergic reactions are also associated with it.
Fact No. 8: Apples for Good Bone Health.
Apple eating is associated with higher bone density, and that’s why it increases bone health. Researchers on the topic believe that the antioxidant and also the anti-inflammatory compound in the fruit may help promote bone strength and its density. Studies also prove that apples, specifically, may improve bone health and keep it healthier for a more extended period categorically favouring the elderly. In one study that was made, women who had a complete meal that included fresh apples or peeled apples had better bone health, than those who ate apples a lot less.
Fact No. 9: Apples Helps In Stomach Injury
A particular category of painkillers popularly known as NSAIDs, if taken for long under no proper supervision can rupture the lining of your intestines and stomach. Test tube studies found that freeze-dried apple extracts have helped on large scales enrich the stomach cells from ruptures and injuries due to the said NSAIDs. The 2 plant-compounds found in apples are chlorogenic (acid) and catechin, and these are believed to be very useful. However, more study and surveys in humans are right now needed to confirm more of these results.
Few More Health Benefits Of Apples For Elderly
- For many of us, the crispness of our day out along with the juicy crispness of a beautiful and fresh apple brings a smile on our ever frowning face. There would be many childhood memories of yours that might be attached to this fruit, but did you ever know such interesting facts and health benefits that this fantastic fall fruit can have for the elders? By the way, there are few more benefits to add to the list.
- Now we hope you will not roll your eyes when you’ll get to know that apple’s skin has an element known as “quercetin” which according to studies is famous for protecting human body cells from dire radical damages. Lab studies on quercetin have proven and declared that it can prevent and stop the growth of tumours and help prevent cancer cells from expanding.
- Another significant health benefit from apples is their high fibre content, both soluble and insoluble. The insoluble ones assist in bowel management. This type of fibre will pass through the gastrointestinal tract smoothly, because it is insoluble in water and hence could act as a fantastic carrier.
- Apples are also a high source of soluble fibre, and unlike insoluble, these fibres don’t pass through the GI tract intact. Still, instead, it forms a gel-like substance that without any harm slows down our digestion and so eating foods high in soluble fibre will leave you feeling fuller before and after you eat.
- Apples have pectin, a form of another soluble fibre that also slows digestion. Whenever anyone experiences high blood sugar levels, then apple’s pectin can help in the situation by cloaking it down which makes this fruit a good friend for those with diabetes.
- Lastly, surveys have named apples as a super fruit that may be beneficial in brain health, and the same could help with both memory loss and the prevention of the uhm..what was it.. ?? Yeah. Alzheimer’s.
Benefits of Apple Juice For Elders
1. Tastes Good
Yeah. We’re not kidding. That’s a benefit.
2. Keeps the Body Hydrated
Apple juice contains 88% water, and so this makes it very easy to drink — especially for those who are sick and elderly or are at a heightened risk of dehydration. So if you are reading this, drink water. This is why many doctors promote this juicy fruit to all those suffering from mild dehydration like condition.
In a survey made across a group of mildly dehydrated adults with diarrhoea and vomiting, those offered the diluted variety of apple juice were found 6.5% less likely to need fluids provided through their veins than those given a medicinal electrolyte drink. Even though such electrolyte drinks are specifically formulated to rehydrate, some people don’t like their taste and won’t drink them.
3. Contains beneficial plant compounds
Apples are rich in the plant compound – polyphenol. The majority of these compounds are found in the skin and only some of it can be retained in the apple flesh. So, it is suggested that the juice be made along with the skin so that the maximum advantage of it can be obtained.
In one survey, healthy men drank a 2/3 cup of apple juice and then had scientists draw their blood. The oxidative damage in their blood fell within 30 mins of drinking the apple juice, and this positive outcome stayed for up to 90 mins.
On experimenting, it was also discovered that 62% more polyphenols were present in apple juices with skin, rather than the clearer ones.
4. Supports heart health
Polyphenols stop LDL i.s. bad cholesterol from oxidizing and building up in our arteries of the heart. Higher levels of LDL after oxidizing are linked to an increased risk of heart disorders such as strokes and attacks. A survey observed that when healthy grownups drank 1 or 1 and 1/2 cups (375 ml) of clear apple juice for 6 weeks constantly, it helped their bad cholesterol to be around 20% more resistant to oxidation. Moreover, all those elder women who drank one and a half mug of pure apple juice in place of placebo drink, it was found that antioxidant level increased by 11% in their blood within just one hour of consumption.
5. Protects your brain as you age
Preliminary studies suggest that apple juice may support brain function and mental health as you age.
In a series of experiments, older mice were given daily apple juice that was equivalent to 2‒3 cups (480‒720 ml) for a human. After consuming the juice for one month, they:
- Maintained brain levels of nerve messenger that’s crucial for memory and good mental health and that tends to decline in aging — as was the case in the control group in this study.
- Controlled the increase of beta-amyloid protein fragments in the brain, which plays a significant role in brain damage especially in case of Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits of Apple for Elderly Skin
We read a big deal about how apples help our body. Like – How they are known to improve our immunity, take out irritable bowel problems (the bowels too), detox our liver, avoid blocks, also weight issues, increase the resistance of our body, make way to more white and more strong teeth, help digestion and better blood circulation. But it is also superb for our skin! But how? We will tell you. Both in eating them and ‘apple’ing them on the skin, we can derive benefits of apple for the skin. So go on and take a big chunk of that juicy delicious apple, as it-
- It improves the complexion.
- It helps in hydration of the skin.
- It offers resistance from UV Rays. (Bye Bye skin cancer)
- Dark Spots, Acne, and Blemishes – all start getting controlled.
- It is a natural Toner.
- Dark circles go away.
- Helps keep elder’s skin super soft.
- Also helps in moisturizing.
The Bottom Line
We’d like to say, Apples are amazingly good for elders, and eating them can help elders have a lower risk of falling prey to critical diseases like cancer or diabetes, as soluble fibres within this fruit help in weight loss and keeping the gut health intact. It gives elders an amazing skin, and keeps them hydrated. For getting the most out of this fruit in terms of great health, then eat the whole fruit — both skin and flesh. In short, except for Adam and Eve, Apple never hurt another human.
But this is not the end! Giving adequate care to elders is imperative, and to bring this into practical life, there has to be someone who can be efficient to care for elders. For this, we are here for you, to help you care effectively for your elders, with causing absolutely zero trouble on your part. May it be regarding eating such an apple, or getting that apple from the market; getting health checkups done, or improvising existing health conditions, we are here for your beloved elders to help in everything they find an issue with. Call us at 1800-123-445555 or email us at eldersfirst@emoha.com and get all your issues clearly dealt, here, at Emoha Eldercare.
