Apple season is in full swing and nothing makes me happier! 

That crisp, sweet flavor of fall is all around us.

Did you know that apples are one of fall’s best superfoods? (To read about more fall superfoods, click here.)

Just check out how beneficial these little fruits are to your health.

HEALTH BENEFITS FROM APPLES

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is an old Welsh proverb that most of us are familiar with, but what makes this fruit so special?

Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavanoids and dietary fiber.

The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.

Brain Health

Apples have been found to protect neuron cells against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity and may play an important role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Diabetes

Three servings of apples (and other fruits, such as blueberries and grapes) is linked to a 7 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes. This may be due to their beneficial role in blood sugar regulation, as apples contain compounds that may lessen absorption of glucose from your digestive tract, stimulate beta cells in your pancreas to secrete insulin and increase uptake of glucose from your blood by stimulating insulin receptors.

Heart Disease

Eating apples is associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease, an association that’s thought to be related to their content of antioxidant flavonoids.

Because much of the antioxidant content of an apple is found in its peel, you’ll want to leave the peel on when you eat it. For this reason, look for organic apples, which will be free from pesticides and other chemicals.

Apples are one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits there is, so if you’re planning to eat more apples, make them organic. If you purchase conventional apples, briefly soaking them in a solution of 10 percent vinegar to 90 percent water may help to remove some pesticides (and bacteria).

WOW! We definitely need to be eating apples everyday!

If you aren’t a lover of raw apples as a healthy snack, I’ve concocted a really delicious Apple Cinnamon Oolong Latte that you are sure to love! 

It’s perfect for this time of year. It’ll also crush some of those sugar cravings you may be having due to the holidays. 🙂

Drink it first thing in the morning for a delicious treat or make up a big batch to serve with dessert. Either way, enjoy and HAPPY SIPPING!

What is your favorite way to enjoy apples? Baked? Raw? In apple pie? Let me know in the comments below!

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Chrissy

P.S. For the best flavor, make sure to use Okuma Nutritionals Wu-Long Tea in your Apple Cinnamon Oolong Latte! 

And if you would much prefer a pumpkin spice latte, we’ve got that too! Click here for another delicious recipe using PURE, PREMIUM Oolong Tea!