An Apple a Day Keeps Diseases at Bay

By Jill Feilmeier on July 9, 2013 in Dental Health

This old saying might sound a bit cliché, but when it comes to your dental health, it is true. And scientifically proven.

Sugar in the foods you eat are converted by the bacteria in your mouth into acids. These acids start an instant attack on the enamel of your teeth leading to gum disease and tooth decay. The frequency of eating decides how often your teeth get exposed to the decay cycle.

 
Dental benefits of apples and other foods

The good old apple along with other firm and crunchy fruits and vegetables like pears green beans, celery and carrots are very good for maintaining a healthy smile. These foods have a high content of water that dilutes the sugars in them. The biting and the crunching stimulate the flow of saliva that washes away food particles and prevents plaque buildup on the teeth. In fact, you can eat these fruits and vegetables as a snack any time.

That is not the case with all fruits though. When you eat fruits that are rich in acids – tomatoes, lemons and other citruses – you need to eat them along with a larger meal in order to minimize the effects of the acids they contain.

Other health benefits of apples

• Reduces cholesterol: Apples have more fiber than cereal, and packs plenty of pectin. Both fiber and pectin help to reduce cholesterol and prevent heart diseases.
• Controls High blood pressure: Apples are a rich source of potassium that helps to control the sodium levels in the blood. Eating apples on a daily basis helps to reduce blood pressure and prevent stroke.
• Prevents Alzheimer's: Apples have anti-oxidants that prevent the degeneration of brain cells. This helps to stave off Alzheimer's disease.
• Prevents cancer: The fiber in an apple ferments in the colon and helps to fight cancer cells from forming in the colon.
• Reduces asthma risk: the anti-oxidants and vitamins help to reduce asthma symptoms in kids. The flavonoid and phytochemicals help to ease inflamed airways
• Prevents aging: Since the antioxidants in apples slows down the overall oxidation process, this prevents aging of the skin.

Need more reasons to include apples in your diet? We didn’t think so.