One Apple A Day Will Keep the Doctor Away

October 11, 2021July 24, 2020 by Jazmin Mendieta

Jazmin A. Mendieta Gauto

Blog Editor

One Apple a Day Will Keep the Doctor Away

Have you ever googled your symptoms after feeling a bit ill or experiencing body ache?

If you are like me, you have, indeed, googled your symptoms. And let me tell you that the results can be quite intimidating.

Let’s be honest now, most people google their symptoms because they do not want to go through the process of making an appointment and going to the doctor. They would rather stay in pain and live without knowing what is going on with their bodies. And, even though these people (cough — you and I) should stop playing games and get medical help if necessary, there is one easy method that can improve our health and, maybe, help us avoid that doctor’s appointment:

Eat one apple a day.

Yes, I know. This is revolutionary.

You have probably been eating apples (and other products that derive from apples) since you were a little kid. And perhaps it is time to go back to old habits and eat this fruit (that probably reminds you of school lunches) instead of chips and salsa in the afternoons.

One apple; multiple benefits. Here is why this good old habit is great for you:

Eating one apple a day can protect you from chronic diseases. Apples contain chemicals that protect people from the “triggers” that start Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases as well as Colon, Lung, and Prostate Cancers.
Eating one apple a day can help improve your cardiovascular condition. Studies have shown that “[w]omen ingesting apples [experienced] 13-22%” less chance to suffer from a cardiovascular disease.
Eating one apple a day can help “mitigate” the effects of Type II Diabetes. More specifically, a fresh apples has components that help improve insulin sensitivity in people with type II Diabetes.
Eating one apple a day can prevent a cholesterol build up in your blood vessels because of its high fiber content.
Eating one apple a day can help prevent osteoporosis because of its boron (mineral element) content.
Eating one apple a day can help cleanse your intestines because of its, once again, high fiber content. In other words, this fruit can help cleanse your intestinal tract and help you digest your food better.

Now you might be thinking: “All this sounds great but eating an apple — just a plain apple — everyday is kind of… boring.”

And I, in fact, agree with you.

Here are some fun ideas that will help you replace chips and salsa for a healthy snack that can help prevent and/or mitigate chronic diseases. These ideas do not alter the nutritional benefits of apples:

Sliced apples with peanut butter. Slice an apple and just dip it in peanut butter. Classic!
Sliced apples, oatmeal, and greek yogurt in a bowl. Yum!
Baked Apple Chips with cinnamon. You only need two things: an apple and cinnamon. Easy!
Apple Cookie snack. Slice some apples and add some peanut butter with chocolate chips on top!
Apple Wedges snack. Slice some apples and spread almond butter on them! Don’t forget to add some granola. Yum!

Or maybe try drinking Ryan’s Apple Juice, we only extract juice from the best apples in the Northwest. No sugars or preservatives added nothing but 100% natural apple deliciousness.

And just like that, anyone can easily go back to the good old habit of eating one apple a day and enjoy of its multiple benefits.

These health claims are not made by HRJCO and/or approved by the FDA to treat or cure any condition or illness.

Sources:

Touyz LZG (2016) Demystifying Apples in Health and Dentistry. Dent Health Curr Res 2:1. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louis_Touyz/publication/301581646_Demystifying_Apples_in_Health_and_Dentistry/links/573e1f2308ae9ace84113029/Demystifying-Apples-in-Health-and-Dentistry.pdf

Boyer, J., Liu, R.H. (2004). Apple phytochemicals and their health benefits. Nutr J 3, 5. Retreived from:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1475-2891-3-5

H.P. Vasantha Rupasingue, et al. (2013) “Polyphenols of Apples and their Potential Health Benefits.” Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Canada. Retrieved from: https://www.novapublishers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/978-1-62081-809-1_ch16.pdf

Apples… (2010, September, October). Better Living for Texans. Retrieved from: http://hockley.agrilife.org/files/2011/09/October-Newsletter1.pdf

Five reasons to eat an apple everyday (2010, September, October). Better Living for Texans. Retrieved from: http://hockley.agrilife.org/files/2011/09/October-Newsletter1.pdf

Apples… (2010, September, October). Better Living for Texans. Retrieved from: http://hockley.agrilife.org/files/2011/09/October-Newsletter1.pdf

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Are your Apples Actually Organic?

June 22, 2021July 17, 2020 by Allison TeVelde

Allison TeVelde

Blog Editor

Are your Apples Actually Organic?

A large section of grocery stores these days sell organic foods, including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Aldi,Whole Foods… the list goes on. As with other fruits and vegetables, organic is an option available to people like you and me who want to be healthy and safe.

Studies show that consumers love buying organic produce. They will choose it over conventional produce, especially when it comes to thinking about their health or their kids. But, have you ever taken a second to squint a little closer at this “organic” label? What is this telling us about the apples we are buying? Are we actually making a healthy choice by stuffing our shopping bags with fruit that has “USDA organic” stickers slapped on it? This could be worthwhile to research if you have ever wondered this. Are your apples actually organic?

What defines something as organic?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in order for something to be organic, the farmers growing the produce needs to “rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.” None of the produce should be genetically modified in the slightest. Something can be considered organic if the soil its grown on has no trace of prohibited substances at least three years before it’s harvested. This means no synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This means produce that is richer, fresher, and better for the environment. Basically, what these farmers are doing is following pre-set federal guidelines.

When it comes to apples, then, this means growing apple trees from seeds that haven’t been genetically modified. An organic apple’s DNA has not been changed in order to “improve” it—make it redder, brighter, rounder. It is naturally good the way it is.

Another thing that sets organic fruit apart is that no pesticides are used to keep insects away. Why does this matter? This means extra work for the farmers, who have to physically fight weeds and bugs instead of relying on sprays to do the work for them. Chemicals used in pesticides can be harsh and unnecessarily harmful to the human system when eaten. The intention of growing food without this extra risk is meant to protect people from eating foods that their body was never designed to eat.

So, are these organic labels accurate?

There can be a distinct price difference when it comes to choosing between regular and organic apples. One has a sticker that states it has been inspected by the USDA, the other does not. Sometimes it doesn’t seem worth it. There is more of a psychological reason people buy organic foods, however. According to a study done in the UK, “in the case of organic foods it could be argued that one’s intention to buy could be influenced not only by obligation and guilt but also by wanting to do something that is morally and ethically good.”

Does buying organic food make you a better person? Perhaps, but that is a consumer mindset that comes from smart marketing strategies, and is not always an accurate reflection of whether the fruit is clean. Many fruits and vegetables, regardless of whether or not they are organic, may contain traces of pesticides.

Organic fruit, in contrast to regular fruit, often shows spots or other imperfections. People who buy organic know that this fruit is going to be different—smaller, or not perfectly shaped. Appearance is important, because when people are shopping they are going to choose the fruit that looks the most delicious to eat. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any difference between apple varieties at all… which is why we have to deal with the risk of organic food fraud. This is an issue which happens when fruit producers try to pass regular apples—which have been sprayed with pesticides and genetically modified—as organic ones.

What then do we do about it?

How can we know whether our apples are actually organic? There is always the option to grow some apples yourself. Start an apple orchard with apple seeds or saplings that you know have not been genetically modified. An orchard of your own means you know exactly where your fruit comes from, and you know whether or not chemicals have been applied to the apples. Of course, everyone having their own apple orchard would be ideal; however, not everyone is able to do this, or wants to. This means buying from others.

Farmer’s markets and other local produce sales are another great way to get apples you know are grown in a healthy, non-modified manner. By talking to the producers directly, you can learn what methods they used to grow the apples, whether they used pesticides, and what varieties of apples are being grown. You can have peace of mind knowing the apples you eat are good for you and your family.

Still, if you don’t have access to either of these sources, you’re back to the grocery store mulling over the choice between organic or non-organic apples. They are there, staring back at you from their neatly stocked shelves. The best thing to do is to wash your fruit after you bring it home and before you eat it. Since apples and other fruits like peaches and pears have such soft skins, pesticides are more likely to affect them. This is different than an orange, which has a thick skin. Experts suggest using plain old running water and a scrub brush. Peeling your fruit can also help relieve concerns about pesticide pervasion.

So, is your fruit bowl pesticide free? Are you actually eating organic? That depends on numerable factors, and sometimes it seems impossible to know. However, by understanding what the label “organic” means and knowing where your fruit comes from, you can have peace of mind about your fruit consumption.

We make our own Sparkling Vinegar drink made with 100% organic apples. You can see our organic products by clicking here.

Sources:

Song, Weiran. (2016, November 3) Differentiation of Organic and Non-organic Apples Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy – A Pattern Recognition. Retrieved July 17 2020 from: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7808530

Consumer Preferences, USDA, Moral Concerns, Cambridge, Wash Pesticides.

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4 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

June 22, 2021June 24, 2020 by Alan

Alan Park

Blog Editor

4 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

People have been using Apple Cider Vinegar for centuries. The Romans and Greeks enjoyed this powerful sour and aromatic liquid for thousands of years. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, regarding the benefits of this gold liquid, so here are the 4 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).

Antimicrobial properties

Apple cider vinegar has multiple antimicrobial potentials with clinical therapeutic implications. Antimicrobial means it destroys bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses. It also has significant antifungal activity at certain concentrations against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus Flavus, and fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans and Non-Candida Albicans.

How you can benefit from it: Use it undiluted (5% acidity) to restrict the growth of pathogenic yeats like Candida Albicans, S. Aureus, and E. Coli on surfaces around the house.

Weight Loss

ACV can help to manage weight when followed by a healthy diet and exercise. Here is a study where three groups were assigned different amounts of ACV; group 1 received a daily dose of 0 oz of ACV (placebo), group 2 received 1/2oz of ACV, and group 3 received 1oz of ACV every day, respectively.

The two groups that received the ACV dose had significantly lower body weight, BMI, visceral fat area, waist circumference, and serum triglyceride.

How you can benefit from it: You can benefit from this even if you are not trying to lose weight. Dilute 1-2 tablespoons of ACV in no less than 9oz of water, juice, or tea. Never drink pure vinegar since it can destroy the enamel in your teeth.

Cleans Arteries

Every time you eat high-fat food, you increase the chances of developing high amounts of fat in your blood, apple cider vinegar may be used to reduce the LDL (bad cholesterol), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in patients with hyperlipidemia, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

How you can benefit from it: healthyarteries.org has a delicious recipe to unclog arteries on their website:

1 cup of ginger juice
1 cup garlic puree
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cups of organic honey

Regulates Blood Sugar

Vinegar may be considered beneficial for improving insulin resistance and metabolic abnormalities in the atherogenic prediabetic state.

Consuming ACV with a meal can reduce your insulin, triglyceride, and blood sugar levels, this might be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes; since the body can’t move the glucose from the blood, it will be better to reduce the glucose in the blood to prevent hyperglycemia.

How you can benefit from it: Dilute 1-2 tablespoons of ACV in 9oz of water, drink it after a meal once a day. Not only it will reduce your glucose levels but if consumed as a replacement for sugary drinks, it can help you build healthier habits. Do not use Apple Cider Vinegar to replace medicine.

Conclusion:

Apple Cider Vinegar is a great salad dressing and cooking ingredient but it is not medicine. However, our research shows that it can help you live a healthier life by reducing your blood sugar, remove lipids from arteries, lose weight, among other things. Consult with your doctor and do your research before consuming ACV in high amounts.

These health claims are not made by HRJCO and/or approved by the FDA to treat or cure any condition or illness.

Sources:

“In Vitro Assessment Of Antifungal Potential Of Apple Cider Vinegar And Acetic Acid Versus Fluconazole In Clinical Isolates Of Otomycosis.” Iraq Academic Scientific Journals, www.iasj.net/iasj?func=article.

Nature, Pubmed, Tandfonline, Researchgate, Nature, Journals.