4 Health Benefits of Apples

An apple a day will keep the doctor away, but it can also improve your skin, help your breathing and aid in weight loss! Here are some of the amazing and unexpected benefits of apples.

Radiance booster Treat your skin to a refreshing at-home green-apple mask. The fruit helps replenish moisture, and its acids smooth fine lines, explains Karen Behnke, founding partner of Juice Beauty in San Rafael, California.

Her recipe: In a blender, puree one chopped green apple (skin included) with 1/2 cup sliced green grapes; add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/4 cup aloe vera, and continue blending until you have a thick paste. Apply to face, neck and décolletage; wait 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Note: Before you apply, test on a small area of your face or neck to ensure that none of the ingredients react adversely with your skin.

Breathing aid Think twice about peeling your next apple — the skin is jam-packed with an antioxidant called quercetin, which may protect your lungs from pollutants.

A study from St. George’s Hospital Medical School in London found that people who eat five or more apples a week have better lung function than those who don’t. So slip one into your lunch bag today.

Scalp rejuvenatorSay good-bye to pesky flakes with apple cider vinegar, which is believed to nix the bacteria that may contribute to dandruff, says Cal Orey, author of "The Healing Powers of Vinegar."

Try this remedy: Massage a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar directly into washed scalp; leave on for one minute, then rinse.

Waistline shrinker Substitute unsweetened applesauce for half the butter or oil in cake recipes, and you’ll get a naturally sweeter, moister dessert with much less fat, says Samantha Heller, RD, author of "Get Smart: Samantha Heller’s Nutrition Prescription for Boosting Brain Power and Optimizing Total Body Health." The sauce is fat and cholesterol-free, and one cup has almost as much filling fiber as one cup of brown rice.

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