Jul 3, 2020

Health Benefits of Apples: Nutrition, Stroke Prevention & Cholesterol Control

🥗 1. Nutritional Value of a Medium Apple (≈182g / 6.4 oz)
  • Calories: 95

  • Carbohydrates: 25g

  • Fiber: 4g

  • Vitamin C: 14% of RDI

  • Potassium: 6% of RDI

  • Vitamin K: 5% of RDI

  • Other nutrients: 2–4% RDI of manganese, copper, and vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B6

Tip: Leave the skin on! Half of the fiber and most polyphenols are in the skin.


🌿 2. Polyphenols in Apples

  • Apples are rich in polyphenols, plant compounds that support health.

  • Nutrition labels often don’t list polyphenols, but they contribute to many benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.


❤️ 3. Apples & Stroke Risk

  • A 2000 study over 28 years with 9,208 people found that high apple consumption reduced the risk of thrombotic stroke.

  • Fiber and nutrients in apples appear to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke.


🩺 4. Apples & Cholesterol

  • A 2013 study found raw apples reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in healthy people.

  • Clear apple juice did not have the same effect — the fiber in apples is the key.


✅ Key Takeaways

  • Eat the whole apple with skin for maximum fiber and polyphenols.

  • Regular apple consumption may support heart health, reduce cholesterol, and lower stroke risk.

  • Fiber is a major factor in apples’ health benefits.