5 Ways Apples Keep You Healthy (2 of 3)

The antioxidants contain anti inflammatory properties

Quercetin isn’t the only antioxidant found in apples. There is a whole list of them that can also help boost your immune system and have anti-inflammatory properties including: procyanidin, coumaric acid, catechin, gallic acid, phloridzin, and much more. Apples contain more free phenolics than any other common fruit, and there are few fruits that have as many antioxidants. These phytochemicals, much like the aforementioned quercetin, can help prevent cancer, organ disease, and other life-threatening illnesses. 

You get the much-needed soluble fiber pectin

You might not realize this, but a significant amount of your immune system, which is tasked with fighting off infections, lies in your gastrointestinal tract. As a result, it is essential that you keep your microbiome healthy and balanced. Apples are an ideal solution since they contain a soluble fiber called pectin. The positive health effects can be dramatic. For instance, one study conducted in 2010 found that when female subjects ate two apples a day, they experienced a measurable increase in good bacteria in just two weeks.

Another study, which was published in Frontiers of Microbiology, found that just one apple contains around 100 million bacteria cells. In this same study, researchers found that organic apples have additional benefits versus standard apples due to their wider array of bacteria.