With Thanksgiving less than a day away, much thought has already gone into what is going to be served. Will you be including seasonalorganic apples?

Apples, historically have been considered the original symbol of temptation. Maybe that’s because they are easily one of the most delicious and health enhancing fruit available. Being healthy is the new sexy.  Apples known for numerous health benefits which incidentally could fill a book, rank as an outstanding health promoting choice on Thanksgiving or any day of the year.   

An apple a day keeps the doctor away - so goes an old saying that is supported by scientists who agree that eating apples contribute to healthy hearts. Word has long been out that eating two or more apples a day can result in decreased cholesterol levels. This is because apples are endowed with pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower bad cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.

According to Jonny Bowden, PH.D who offers in his book, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, a statement from Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa; men who eat one apple a day lower their risk of heart attacks by 32 percent.

Makes you rethink the Eve myth. Maybe by offering an apple to her beloved she was just tempting Adam with a good old fashioned heart healthy source, or as a way to prevent colon cancer or simply suggesting a thankfully good source of potassium to her man to help regulate his blood pressure. What ever the case, the apple was a good choice.

Apples are considered excellent cleansers which is why they are always appearing on cleansing diets. For cigarette smokers there is some thankful apple news as an apple or two a day is helpful for lungs suffering from cigarette smoking. In the Nurses’ Health Study, women who ate at least one serving a day of either apples or pears had a reduced risk of lung cancer. Additionally, apples provide the body with much needed fiber. Fiber acts like a broom sweeping out all that is in it’s path which bodes well in cleansing and aiding in the removal of toxins such as lead and mercury. 

The typical American diet contains many acid forming foods. Unless you are going vegan or raw, Thanksgiving dinner will more than likely contribute it’s fair share of acid producing foods. Excess acid in the body causes heartburn, indigestion and bloating bellies. To counter balance the excess acid in your body, alkaline foods such as apples, offer an antidote.

Less known, is that apples are an excellent source of boron. What is boron? Glad you asked. Boron is a bone building mineral which makes it an important part of an osteoporosis prevention program. A connection has also been discovered linking not having enough boron in one’s system  and having arthritis symptoms.

Worried that you may be tempted to overeat on Thanksgiving Day? Many people report that their appetite is satisfied after eating an apple. Might the reason be because of the workout that your teeth get from chewing a whole apple or because this fruit is a satisfying nutritional choice. Since there are so many varieties of apples it is easy to pick a sweet or tart one that suits your taste buds. This Thanksgiving or before any feast, tempt yourself to bite into the original sin, a heart healthy apple and curb your appetite for over indulging.

Organic or Conventional? The Environmental Working Group, a non profit consumer protection and advocate group suggests buying apples organic and placed the conventional ones on their dirty dozen list of crops contaminated with pesticides. 

For more info: Your Natural Choice Website,  Seasonal Autumn Food Choices

Newark Holistic Health Examiner

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