How Many Calories In An Apple

Iounn gave them to the gods for eternal youthfulness. Heracles picked them from the Tree of Life in the Garden of the Hesperides. Adam got one stuck in his throat in the Garden of Eden. Aphrodite will toss it with love, catch it if you are true to her in return. One a day will keep the doctor away, or so they say. But are the stories true?

Throughout history, and throughout the world, the apple has been touted as the quintessential fruit. In this article we will look at some of the health benefits of apples, as well as some nutritional information of various types of popular apples.

Apple-icious Benefits
The apple may have been blamed for the fall of man, but since then it has certainly been on our side. Research has suggested that apples may help reduce the risk of some cancers, including colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.  The fiber found in apples can help regulate bowl movements, which is one way apples fight colon cancer. It can also work to reduce cholesterol by preventing reabsorption. In turn, reducing cholesterol will help reduce heart disease and promote weight loss.

Research has also shown an increase in neurotransmitter acetylcholine from the use of apple juice concentrate. At least in mice, this helps prevent dementia from dietary and genetic deficiencies.

Other benefits the apple is known for, particularly with juicing, are as follows:

•       Boost in energy

•       Hair growth

•       Treat rheumatism

•       Reduce breathing problems, like asthma

•       Control diabetes

•       Protect bones

•       Fight agains kidney and liver disease

•       Help with anemia

How Many Calories Are In An Apple?
For a medium sized apple, one with a 3 inch diameter, and skin still attached, the USDA food database list 4.4 grams of fiber and 95 calories. Without the skin, those numbers are reduced to 2.1 grams of fiber and 77 calories.

As you might expect, the calories in apples vary with the different varieties of apples. Here are a few of the more common varieties found in supermarkets.

1)  The Red Delicious apple was developed in the late 1800’s. It has a crisp, slightly bland flavor and packs 3.4 grams of fiber and 90 apple calories.

2)  Exported from Australia, the Granny Smith apple is famous for its crisp, tart flavor. It is a 5 grams of fiber and 80 calories apple.

3)  Who can forget the soft, sweet flavor of the Yellow Delicious? Also released in the 1800’s, this apple holds 5.1 grams of fiber and 82 apple calories.

4)  Originally from New Zealand, the Gala apple is a relative of the Golden Delicious, and it has a rather neutral flavor. It weighs in at 5 grams of fiber and 80 calories.

5)  Finally, the Fuji. Japan released this relative of the Red Delicious in 1962. It has a crisp, sweet flavor, 5 grams of fiber, and 80 calories.

Apples come with a great amount of history and myth, but it is safe to say that the health benefits outweigh both of those factors. An apple a day may not keep the doctor away, but it’s a good start.

Related posts:

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits
  2. An Overview of Nectarine Calories, Health Benefits, and Nutrients
  3. How Many Calories in a Banana?
  4. Calories in Blueberries
  5. How many Calories in a Clementine?


Filed under: Diet Tips, Health Tips | Tagged with: , , , ,