It’s apple season! Nature produces them at the most opportune time, preparing us for fall and winter by providing enormous health benefits.
Apples contain a natural prebiotic known as pectin, which helps promote “good vibes” for beneficial bacteria in our gut. This, in turn, provides systemic benefit ranging from helping with weight loss and metabolic syndrome, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to research.
Apples are rich in antioxidants, as well, due to the high amount of polyphenols in their peel. The medicine is literally in the fruit! Epicatechin, for example, is just one polyphenol, and it has the superpower of lowering blood pressure. These flavonoids collectively can support immune function, reduce inflammation and provide systemic antioxidants to lower risk of serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases and metabolic diseases like diabetes.
In a review of multiple studies examining the health benefits of apples, the research showed that the antioxidant benefits of eating apples extends to potentially reducing risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s and asthma, as well.
For type 2 diabetes alone, eating an apple a day reduced the risk of becoming diabetic by 28% compared to those who didn’t eat apples. These benefits were seen with eating just a few apples a week.
Although more research still needs to be done on the mechanism of how apples provide these benefits, it is suspected that polyphenols impact the pancreas by repairing beta cells, which is where insulin is produced in the body.
As far as autoimmune diseases, a potent natural compound known as malic acid exists in high amounts in apples. The word “malic” is derived from the Latin word “malus” which means apple. You know those sour apples that make your mouth pucker? That sour taste is malic acid, and the more sour the fruit, the higher the malic acid content. Although apples have the highest content (about 90%), other fruits also contain malic acid.
Malic acid binds to essential minerals in the body, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. This binding helps the absorption of that mineral via the gut and bloodstream. Since malic acid binds well with magnesium, it is no surprise the benefits of apples to heart health. The coupling of malic acid and magnesium packs a huge punch when it comes to heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.
Health benefits are plentiful systemically. Malic acid is instrumental in cellular energy utility, involved in the Krebs cycle with ATP production, and has been evidenced to increase energy production during exercise. Malic acid is also responsible for regulating various neurotransmitters that give us feelings of well-being, relaxation and quality sleep. When it comes to those with chronic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia, malic acid can have a huge impact.
Research on fibromyalgia, in fact, has shown that sufferers are more likely to have low levels of oxygen in their muscles, a condition known as muscle hypoxia. Malic acid helps provide energy and oxygen to the cells, improving symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain and low exercise endurance.
With the weather starting to get cooler, apples provide a warm, savory treat when baked! They’re a wonderful source of nutrients packed with health benefits and sure to curb your sweet cravings.
You’ll need:
- A half a dozen apples (wild or organic)
- Ghee, butter or coconut oil (unrefined)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ a cup monk fruit or coconut sugar
- Cinnamon (1-2 teaspoons)
- Ginger (½ teaspoon
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 2-3 tablespoons arrowroot flour (to thicken sauce)
- 3 tablespoons water
Here’s how to make it:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Cut apples into thinly sliced pieces, lengthwise. You may choose to keep the peels on or off. . .(personally, the peel is where it’s at, so why peel them?!)
- In a large bowl, combine and mix together coconut oil (melted), coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, lime juice, arrowroot flour, and water. Add the apples and combine to be sure all apple slices are coated.
- Place the coated apple slices in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for approximately 45 minutes covered.
- After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
To help support the over 300 functions in the body fueled by optimal magnesium levels, be certain you are supplementing with the right form that is bioavailable and gentle on the gut.
Magnesium exists in multiple forms, however, magnesium malate, which is derived and bound with malic acid, creates a more absorbable form of magnesium than magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate and even magnesium citrate, the form found in most magnesium supplements. In addition, magnesium malate is gentle on the gut, producing no digestive upset, loose stools, diarrhea or chronic gut inflammation, which may occur with magnesium citrate and oxide supplementation.
Our Optimum Magnesium contains a combination of chelated forms of magnesium magnesium glycinate and magnesium malate:
Di-Magnesium Malate, contains 69% malate (malic acid). Malic acid is utilized as it enhances magnesium. Magnesium and malate play crucial roles in energy production under aerobic conditions or when decreased oxygen levels are present. Malic acid is known to show protective benefits by binding aluminum.*
- Supports Cardiovascular Health
- Supports Healthy Muscle Function/Healthy Nerve Conduction
- Supports Bone Health
- Supports Energy Production
- May Support Healthy Glucose Metabolism
Be sure to also check out our Just Relax, which also contains magnesium malate. Just Relax is a flavorful drink mix that can also help you curb those late night sweet cravings while also promoting better sleep and hormonal balance. It contains zero sugar and zero carbs, keto-friendly, vegan, non GMO and deliciously available in citrus and cherry flavor.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183591/
https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-cinnamon-baked-apples/
https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2013/04/17/are-oxygen-starved-tissues-causing-pain-and-fatigue-in-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-mecfs/
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know