“An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” Volume 2 – (Article 2 of 8)
by Dr. Marli Botha
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a common English-language proverb that appeared in the 19th century, advocating for the consumption of apples, and by extension, “if one eats healthy foods, one will remain in good health and will not need to see the doctor often.”
2 FUN FACTS about APPLES:
- A medium-size (100 gram) raw apple is 86% water and 14% carbohydrates with negligible content of fat and protein, and supplies 52 calories of food energy. It contains a moderate amount of dietary fibre, but otherwise has a low level of micronutrients.
- Humans, and all animals, have complex antioxidant defence systems, but they are not perfect in fending off stress; oxidative damage will occur. Cancer and cardiovascular disease are thought to be in part the results of oxidative stress, so foods like apples and other fruits and vegetables, rich in antioxidants, may be especially helpful in warding off these diseases.
