HEALTH & NUTRITION
...Keeps The Doctor Away?
Fashion and health are two key aspects of my life.
As a jewelry designer – Pure Love – I
look for inspiration all around me and I tend to find some of my greatest inspirations
from fashion designers (e.g. Lana Del Rey, seen above, wearing a Louis Vuitton dress and Miu Miu gloves). Moreover, I am adamant about living healthy, so I am
constantly researching fitness and health/ nutrition tips. As a result, I have come to know as many fashion
designers as I do nutrition myths, which is a lot. Previously, in Drink Up, I discussed the myth
surrounding the need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. It was busted,
like most myths. However, the expression "an apple a day keeps the doctor
away" appears to have more truth to it.
“The first printed mention of this saying can be
found in the February 1866 issue of the publication ‘Notes and Queries.’ The
publication printed the proverb like this: ‘Eat an apple on going to bed, and
you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.’ Nearly 150 years later,
variations of this adage are still quoted. It's unlikely that the saying would
have maintained such popularity if there wasn't some truth to it, right? With
that in mind, let's consider some of the apple's components and their effect on
our health:
1. Pectin -- Pectin is a form of soluble fiber than
lowers both blood pressure and glucose levels. It can also lower the levels of
LDL, or "bad" cholesterol in the body. Pectin, like other forms of
fiber, helps maintain the health of the digestive system. Apples are an
excellent source of pectin.
2. Boron -- A nutrient found in abundance in apples,
boron supports strong bones and a healthy brain.
3. Quercetin -- A flavonoid, this nutrient shows
promise for reducing the risk of various cancers, including cancers in the
lungs and breast. It may also reduce free radical damage. Free radicals develop
when atoms in the body's cells have unpaired electrons, which can lead to
damage to different parts of the cell, including DNA. Quercetin may neutralize
free radical damage, which has been implicated in a variety of age-related
health problems, including Alzheimer's disease.
4. Vitamin C -- Vitamin C boosts immunity, which helps
maintain overall health.
5. Phytonutrients -- Apples are rich in a variety of
phytonutrients, including vitamins A and E and beta carotene. These compounds
fight damage from free radicals and can have a profound affect on health,
including reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and asthma.
Apples also act as a toothbrush, cleaning teeth and
killing bacteria in the mouth, which may reduce the risk of tooth decay.
They're also low in calorie density, one of the trademarks of a healthy food.
When a food is low in calorie density you can eat good size portions of the
food for relatively few calories. In addition, apples are affordable and
readily available.
With all of this information, it's easy to see that,
yes, an apple has its health benefits.” (Hunter, 2012) As part
of a balanced diet an apple a day will in fact go a long way in keeping the doctor away.
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