Do You Know the Benefits of Walking? Applesauce cake at-Home Tests for the Flu?
Applesauce, in its simplest form, is cooked apples. As such, it has many of the same incredible nutrients that fresh whole apples have. There are many varieties of applesauce available. Some contain nothing more than apples, water, and ascorbic acid. Others have added sugar or other fruits.
Apple-based sauces date back to Medieval Europe. People served sweet and tart versions as an addition to a variety of different dishes, such as beef, pork, fish, and goose. These sauces weren’t called applesauce, though. The word didn’t appear in print until the mid-1700s. Health Benefits Applesauce contains antioxidants called phytochemicals. These antioxidants may help to reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Making fresh applesauce using the whole fruit, including the skin, helps to ensure that you get the most antioxidants possible. Many store-bought brands of applesauce have vitamin C in them. The added ascorbic acid acts as a preservative, but it also has many health benefits. It boosts your immune system, helps your body absorb iron more effectively, and speeds up your body’s healing process.
Because it functions as an antioxidant, Vitamin C can also help to fight free radicals, which are harmful substances that build up in the body. They occur as your body converts food into energy. Other free radicals exist in the air and can enter your body when you breathe. As they build up, they can damage your cells, increasing your risk for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more. Homemade applesauce typically doesn’t have the same amount of vitamin C, but it still contains some, enabling it to provide some benefits. Applesauce contains about the same amount of fiber as whole apples. The fiber is soluble, which helps to lower your blood cholesterol levels.
Like fresh apples, applesauce also contains polyphenols, which may help to reduce blood pressure. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels can help to reduce your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. The soluble fiber in applesauce, in the form of pectin, can be helpful in treating digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation. It can help to neutralize the effects of irritable bowel syndrome. The phytochemicals in apples can help to reduce the risk of cancer. While most of these compounds are in the apple skin, there are some in the flesh.
Applesauce retains some of the antioxidants, so it can help lower your cancer risk as well. The antioxidants in apples can help fight oxidative damage in the lungs, which can lower your risk for asthma. The quercetin in apples and applesauce can also give your immune system a boost and reduce inflammation. Nutrition Applesauce is a low-fat source of vitamins, and can serve as a sweet, nutritious snack between meals. While applesauce, and apples in general, are high in sugar, these sugars occur naturally in the fruit. Sweetened varieties contain added sugars, typically in the form of high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup.
Applesauce also has a small amount of quercetin. Quercetin can help to boost your immune system. A healthier immune system means that your body is better able to fight infections and illnesses. Applesauce provides many helpful nutrients, but there are some things to watch for. Many brands that you buy in the store have added sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup or corn syrup. These varieties also aren’t typically made with the apple skins, which is what contains a majority of the fiber and antioxidants. Another option is to make your own.
If you are allergic to peaches, plums, strawberries, or almonds, you may also have an allergy to apples. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical care right away. How to Prepare Applesauce You can buy unsweetened or sweetened varieties of applesauce at your local grocery store. You can also make applesauce at home with just a few ingredients. To make fresh applesauce, you need whole apples and water.