The old adage states that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and perhaps this year, more than ever, all of us want to stay as healthy as humanly possible. This is why it’s the perfect time to participate in the International Eat an Apple Day, celebrated on the third Saturday of September, which is the 19th this year!
The Apple’s Origins
As much as some people would like to believe apples first showed up in the Garden of Eden, the apple actually originated in Central Asia. Today, people all over the world enjoy these delicious fruits. There are many different kinds of apples. Throughout the world, apples come in an unbelievable 7,500 different varieties. And in the United States alone, 2,500 varieties are grown. Some of the most popular include Red Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady. What’s your favorite kind of apple?
No matter which is your favorite, apples have many Health Benefits, like:
- are high in fiber and water content, which helps with weight loss
- promote good gut bacteria
- are linked to a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes
- may help prevent cancer
- also may be good for bone health
Of course, the best way to observe #EatAnAppleDay is to do just that – eat an apple! Go wild and eat two, or as many as you want! If you really want to indulge, eat your apple with honey or peanut butter. But, if you aren’t into apples in their natural state, there are plenty of yummy foods made from this amazing fruit. You can eat food or drink beverages made with apples that you’ve never tried before.
On International Eat an Apple Day, maybe you could drink some apple juice or apple cider (the fermented version is very popular in France and England). Eat an apple turnover for breakfast. Have a warm slice of apple pie or a caramel apple for dessert. Enjoy some applesauce for a snack. If you want a more cultural experience, eat some of the popular apple foods around the world. Foods like German apple cake, braised red cabbage with apples, and Polish apple pancakes. Maybe you fancy an Apple Dumpling, whose national holiday is on the 17th of this month? Here’s a great 5-star “Old Fashioned Apple Dumpling” recipe from allrecipes.com.
If you’re not into cooking, buy a bag of apples and hand one out to everyone you see. Go to an apple orchard and learn how apples are grown and harvested. On social media, post a pic of your favorite kind of apple with #EatAnAppleDay. Encourage others to do the same. No matter what you do, have fun on this fruity day!
Because of the health benefits of apples, don’t just eat an apple on International Eat an Apple Day. Eat one every day – doing so might really keep the doctor away!
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Photo Credit: Yulia Kozlova / Shutterstock.com