Turns out there is.
In fact, there is some evidence that apples improve cholesterol levels. They contain fiber.
“Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol by binding to it in the small intestine. Once inside the small intestine, the fiber attaches to the cholesterol particles, preventing them from entering your bloodstream and traveling to other parts of the body. Instead, cholesterol will exit the body through the feces… In studies to date, LDL cholesterol can decrease by at most 18 percent by consuming roughly 30 grams of soluble fiber daily.” https://www.verywellhealth.com/insoluble-or-soluble-fiber-which-lowers-cholesterol-697724
Although I consider other factors important for heart disease risk, such as sugar consumption, LDL cholesterol (low density lipid) is one substance that may be beneficial to monitor. And an apple a day has been shown to reduce LDL over four weeks. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464612001363
Another kind of fiber (called insoluble), also found in apples, feeds gut bacteria (microbiota.) Those are the good bugs that line the intestine as guardians against foreign invaders and help digest our food.
https://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/apple-consumption-mediates-significant-gut-microbial-metabolic-activity
Citrus fruit sometimes has a bad reputation because of the acidity level. But it turns out oranges can be pretty healthy, too. Certain compounds called carotenoids found in oranges and Golden Delicious apples are effective against H. pylori bacteria, which is implicated in gastritis and stomach ulcers, and other nasty bugs that cause toxicity and illness. “The extracts were studied for their anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytotoxic, multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal and radical scavenging activity.”
https://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/carotenoids-extracted-red-paprika-valencia-orange-and-golden-delicious-apple-e
Apples are a great source of plant compounds called polyphenols, which are associated with lower rates of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD.) Dietary intake of flavonoids has been found to markedly reduce the risk of CVD [9]. In a large-scale cohort study with 4942 participants, 337 polyphenols were identified in 232 food items in the subjects’ diets [22]. Table 10.2 shows the contribution of different food groups to polyphenol intake in humans.https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/polyphenol
Apples contain flavonoids, another botanical compound that is touted for anti-cancer properties. “Flavonoids are found in numerous edible plant species, and the reported preclinical and clinical data suggests chemopreventive and cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines. The polyphenolic flavonoid, quercetin, as a diet supplement has significantly reduced the onset of colorectal cancer [223]. For some other dietary flavonoids… having potential anticancer activities are summarized in table” See it here https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/flavonoid
There are 7500 varieties of apples worldwide and 2500 of those are grown in the USA.
https://selecthealth.org/blog/2020/02/how-many-types-of-apples-are-there-and-which-is-best
You might say that apples are deeply rooted in American culture and taste. “As American as apple pie” sums it up. Thomas Jefferson grew many varieties at Monticello, as well as other fruits such as peaches and cherries. John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed is a beloved legend.
“1801-1841 – One of America’s fondest legends is that of Johnny Appleseed, a folk hero and pioneer apple farmer in the 1800s. There really was a Johnny Appleseed and his true name was John Chapmen (1774-1845) and he was born in Leominster, Massachusetts. His dream was for the land to produce so many apples that no one would ever go hungry. Most historians today classify him as an eccentric but very smart businessman, who traveled about the new territories of his time, leasing land and developing nurseries of apple trees. It is estimated that he traveled 10,000 square miles of frontier country.
He collected apple seeds from cider mills, dried them, put them up in little bags, and gave them to everyone he met who was headed West. For forty years he traveled through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa (planting seeds every place he considered to be likely spots). He did more than just plant apple seeds. He began nurseries to take care of the apple orchards as well as other fruit, vegetable, and herb plants. He walked alone in the wilderness, without gun or knife. He chopped down no trees and killed no animals. He believed that God wanted him to go around and read his Bible to people and plant apple trees for them. He was respected and appreciated by the native American tribes and the new settlers alike. For the rest of his life, he traveled alone and denied himself the companionship of a wife. He fully expected to be compensated for his celibacy on earth by expecting to have two wives in heaven.”
And for other fascinating facts about apples in America click here and scroll down past the recipes https://whatscookingamerica.net/Fruit/Apples.htm
To learn more about cooking with apples and creating your own piece of Americana go here https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/guide-many-common-types-apples-use/
Just as an aside fact, apple orchards need honeybees to pollinate the fruit. Otherwise there isn’t much yield, so early English settlers brought honeybees with them. Honeybees are not native to the U.S. https://nativebeeology.com/2018/01/26/native-honey-bees/ Of course, they are pretty wonderful to have around. If you are ever stung by a bee or wasp try taking homeopathic Apis melifica 6C. That will reduce the pain and swelling quickly.
Applesauce, apple pie, apple cobbler, baked apples, French apple tart (my favorite), or Apple Betty, apples can take the heat. Their natural sweetness and texture lend themselves to fruit desserts but is there anything like biting into the crisp, sweet texture of a raw apple?
It’s nice to find that many Americans can agree on something, that apples are wonders of nature. I hope you get to enjoy one with someone who is the Apple of your Eye.
Is There Anything to That Old Apple-a-Day Thing?