In just over a month it will be autumn and therefore the time for apple harvesting.
But how healthy are apples really? And is one type or color of apple more nutritious than another?
Two nutritionists have investigated these nutritional questions and also looked into the question of whether an apple a day really keeps the doctor away.
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“As for the color of the apples, they can range from green (like Granny Smith) to yellow (like Golden Delicious) to red (like Empire and Gala), and often a mix of colors (like Honeycrisp),” Kelley Springer of the New York Apple Association told Fox News Digital via email.
Springer is a state-certified nutritionist and certified dietitian and nutritionist.
The color of apples ranges from red to green to yellow – and often occurs as a mixture of colors, says a state-certified nutritionist and certified dietician. (iStock)
Apples come in many varieties and colors, but “in terms of nutritional value, the differences between apple varieties are generally minimal,” she said.
“However, apples with a dark red or purple skin, such as the Red Delicious, often have higher antioxidant levels than apples with a lighter skin,” Springer said.
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Although the nutrient content may “vary slightly” depending on the apple variety and growing environment, according to Springer, apples are “overall an excellent source of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.”
Healthy, protective properties
There is actually some truth to the saying “an apple a day keeps you from the doctor,” Diane Lindsay-Adler of Boston Children’s Health Physicians told Fox News Digital via email.
An apple a day can keep the doctor away because of its amount of antioxidants and nutrients. (iStock)
“Apples may protect against serious diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and others,” says Lindsay-Adler, a registered dietitian.
Red apples have this color because they contain so-called anthocyanins, “powerful antioxidants,” she said.
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They “help reduce inflammation in the body,” she said.
Green apples get their color from chlorophyll, another antioxidant, she said.
Chlorophyll “is being studied and may have a protective effect against cancer tumors.”
Green apples, like Granny Smith, get their color from chlorophyll. (iStock)
Finally, yellow apples contain carotenoids, Lindsay-Adler said.
These “reduce the risk of certain cancers and eye diseases.”
Although there is not much variation in color among apples, different varieties of apples may meet different nutritional needs.
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Green apples contain “less sugar and more fiber,” says Lindsay-Adler, making them “a good choice for anyone watching their sugar intake.”
Honeycrisp apples are a “hydrating and nutritious option.”
Honeycrisp apples, on the other hand, are known “for their high water content” and their overall balanced nutrient profile, she said.
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They are a “moisturizing and nourishing option,” Lindsay-Adler added.
But no matter which type of apple you choose, there are “a wealth of specific health benefits,” Springer said.
“The flavonoids and antioxidants in apples are helpful in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels,” she said.
All apples are good sources of vitamins and fiber, Lindsay-Adler said. (iStock)
One study found that “women who ate one or more apples daily had a 28 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes than women who did not eat apples,” she said.
Apples are also excellent for intestinal and heart health, said Springer.
The nutritional content of apples helps keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
“The pectin in apples is a prebiotic and provides food for good gut bacteria,” she said.
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“Pectin can promote the growth of gut bacteria and is therefore a good food for your microbiota.”
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The nutritional content of apples also helps keep blood pressure at a healthy level, Springer said.
In addition, “potassium helps relax blood vessels, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with high blood pressure.”
