Why Should You Care that Ambrosia Apples Have Fibre?
The health benefits of having more fibre in your diet
Ambrosia apples are one of the best local sources of fruit fibre. A large Ambrosia apple (with the peel on) has about 3 grams of fibre. This is about 12% of the daily recommended intake of fibre for women. Every little bit helps because according to Health Canada, most Canadians only get half of their recommended daily fibre.
Fibre plays an important role in our health and may support your wellness goals. Here’s how:
Weight Management
There are several ways Ambrosia apples help with weight management but the primary way that fibre helps is that it makes you feel fuller. This is why some diet programs recommend eating an apple before dinner (especially if you are going out or have a tendency to overeat). The fibre will leave you feeling full which often means you’ll order less or put less food on your plate. You’ll also be more likely to resist having seconds.
It takes a while for messages of satiation to travel from our stomach to our brains. This is why we sometimes overeat and feel ‘stuffed’. If you pre-empt this by eating an Ambrosia apple before dinner, you’re less likely to overeat because you will already be partially satiated.
Healthier Bowel
Fibre benefits our bowel health in two ways; it regulates bowel movements and it reduces the risk of developing hemorrhoids and diseases. Fibre is often recommended as a treatment for constipation so having a diet that is rich in fibre will decrease the chances of developing constipation (and hemorrhoids that may be caused by it). Studies are ongoing around the role dietary fibre has in the prevention of certain diseases but one study published in the Lancet stated, “In populations with low average intake of dietary fibre, an approximate doubling of total fibre intake from foods could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 40%.”
Lower Blood Cholesterol
Ambrosia apples have what’s called soluble fibre. One benefit of soluble fibre is that it may reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your bloodstream. Lowering cholesterol in the blood may reduce your risk of heart disease. It can also lower your blood pressure which reduces the risk of stroke.
Fewer Mood Swings
Mood swings are often caused by rapid changes in your blood sugar or serotonin levels. The good news is that a diet high in soluble fibre (like the fibre found in Ambrosia apples) can help regulate both of these. Soluble fibre slows down the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream which means you won’t get a sugar spike or a sugar crash – both of which can affect your mood. Fibre also boosts serotonin which helps stabilize your emotions and may improve sleep (which is also good for your mood stability). In addition, fibre helps your gut health which more and more research is connecting directly to mood stability.
Longevity and Vitality
Earlier this year, CNN reported on a study that showed the link between a high-fibre diet and longer life. The study found that participants with a high fibre intake had a “15% to 30% reduced risk of death and chronic diseases” compared to those with the lowest fibre intake. In addition, a high fibre diet has been linked to reduced inflammation which allows us to be active with a sense of vitality much longer in life.
Based on this, it’s easy to see why so many dieticians prescribe a diet high in fibre. When you choose Ambrosia apples, it’s pretty tasty and enjoyable medicine to take.