SHAPE ReClaimed - Food Facts and Cooking Tips: Apples

What is an apple?

• A mystical or forbidden fruit?
• An album label who produced The Beatles' first album?
• One of the biggest technology companies in the world?

It’s all of the above, but let's talk about the sweet edible fruit today.

Did you know that there are approximately 7,500 different apple varieties grown all over the world? Of these, an estimated 2,500 are cultivated in the United States.

Apples don’t only need to be eaten raw. Because they are one of the most popular fruits in existence, they are used in recipes for roasts, sauces, desserts and more. They are simple to carry with you for a quick snack and easy to pack in a lunch box. Apples are a sweet treat that also fills you up, making it an ideal addition to your healthy lifestyle.

We hear that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. The doctor stays away because there are so many proven health benefits associated with this pure fruit. Here are just a few of these benefits:

• Reduces your risk of cancer and diabetes. You can decrease your risk of serious health issues by including apples in your diet because an apple is as good as a natural supplement for your body. Almost all the vitamins and minerals your body needs can be found in a single apple.
• Boosts your metabolism. Your metabolism regulates the speed at which your body converts the food you eat into fuel. To lose weight and burn fat, you should find small, healthy ways to speed up your metabolism. Eating apples as part of your daily routine will help to kick start this process!
• Cleans your teeth. Yes, it's true! The crunchy texture of apples helps scrub bacteria off your teeth with less harm than a toothbrush.
• High in fiber. Eating foods high in fiber will ensure that your body moves waste through painlessly. This keeps your body regular and is one of the best ways to cleanse toxins. The fiber also slows the breakdown of sugar, making apples an excellent sweet treat if you have blood sugar issues.

All parts of the apple, except for the seeds, are edible, including the skin. Apples are often eaten raw, but the core, which contains the seeds, is usually discarded.

Apples are so versatile. They can be juiced, eaten raw in salads, baked, cooked in sauces and spreads, preserved, canned, dried and frozen.

One of our favorite SHAPE-Certified recipes is the Apple Cinnamon Upside-Down Cheesecake.

Have you ever thought about growing an apple tree? You can grow a tree right from the apple seeds from an apple that you eat. Learn more about growing your own apples at gardenseason.com/how-to-grow-apples