Song of Solomon 2:5 Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. [New International translation]
Benefits of Eating Apples
Approximately 250 years ago in Poor Richard's Almanac, Benjamin Franklin, coined the phrase "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Benjamin Franklin, American statesman, inventor and publisher, published Poor Richard's Almanac from approximately 1732 to 1758. It was a popular journal during its time. The journal included weather forecasts, practical household hints, games, proverbs, puzzles and home remedies. Over the years researchers have confirmed the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin's advice about the health benefits of eating apples.
In "10 Health Benefits of Apples," www.healthdiaries.com cites 10 reasons why apples are beneficial to good health:
- Bone Protection
French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones. - Asthma Help
One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples. - Alzheimer's Prevention
A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease. - Lower Cholesterol
The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent. - Lung Cancer Prevention
According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples. - Breast Cancer Prevention
A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent. - Colon Cancer Prevention
One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract. - Liver Cancer Prevention
Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer. - Diabetes Management
The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes. - Weight Loss
A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.
With regard to Diabetes, other studies have shown that women who eat at least one apple a day were 28% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not eat apples. The study noted that apples have soluble fiber, which is important in blunting blood sugar swings. Other studies have suggested that reducing or cutting out fruit juice consumption and substituting whole fruit also helps reduce diabetes risk by 7%. For additional information on preventing diabetes see: "Simple Steps to Preventing Diabetes," www.psph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/diabestes full-story/#23.
But to enjoy many of the health benefits of apples, it is important to eat the apple skin or peel:
...Cornell researchers suggest that a combination of plant chemicals, collectively known as phytochemicals, found mainly in the skin of apples, provide the bulk of the fruit's anticancer and antioxidant properties. The cooperative activity of these phytochemicals, they argue, has health benefits that are superior to those found in single compounds like vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, which have been widely studied for their antioxidant activities.
Using colon cancer cells treated with apple extract, Liu and colleagues found that 50 milligrams of apple extracted from the skins decreased the cancer cell growth by 43%, while the same amount of extract from the flesh of the apple decreased cancer cell growth by 29%. Likewise, 50 milligrams of extract from apples with the skin on decreased liver cancer cell growth by 57%, compared to 40% for samples extracted from apples without the skin.
See, "An Apple A Day May Keep The Doctor Away," by Salynn Boyles, WebMD Health News, www.webmd.com.
LOVE YOURSELF/LOVE GOD
Benjamin Franklin advised: "An Apple a Day" for physical health. The Apostle Paul in 1Thessalonians 5:17 advised: "Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful...." for spiritual health. Like King Solomon, in Song of Solomon, Benjamin Franklin and the Apostle Paul were just talking about LOVE. Each day each of us must decide how much we are willing to love ourselves and GOD to stay healthy.
It would seem like a simple choice to make---choosing to love yourself and staying healthy. However, anyone who has ever tried to buy healthy groceries knows, you often have to pass through and avoid all the unhealthy "candy and junk," practically rubbing up against you on the shelves and counters near the checkout line, before you can exit the store. And, the number of excuses that a person can invent why "today" is just not a "good" day or the "right" day to exercise, like "legion,"* are many. So ask GOD for help continuously! Be determined to BE DETERMINED! Read Romans 8:31-39. Let NOTHING separate you from GOD's LOVE or from achieving greater physical or spiritual health. Remember, the LORD wants the best for us. See, Isaiah 30:18.
Love yourself. Love GOD. And, BE Blessed!
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*Legion refers to the group of demons referenced in Luke 8:30, Mark 5:9 and Matthew 8:28-34.
