Why did we grow up believing that oranges were the best source of vitamin C? Apples are a strong contestant in the vitamin C game – there’s a reason that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Vitamin C is essential for numerous bodily functions, it is also believed that vitamin C can reduce cholesterol and your risk of heart disease. People who lack vitamin C often bruise easily and are prone to bleeding gums. Poor healing is another symptom of a vitamin C deficiency.

Did you know that an apple’s vitamin C content lowers the longer it is stored? That means that if you are able to pick an apple straight from the tree and eat it, it will have the highest concentration of vitamin C at this point. It is estimated that an apple that is stored only contains about 25% of its initial vitamin C content.

Apples promote overall oral hygiene and help to strengthen and whiten your teeth. The acidity of an apple also helps kill nasty bacteria that causes bad breath.

Whether you prefer them sour or sweet, they are delicious and great for weight loss, as a low-calorie snack option. They are also marvelous for detoxifying the body, particularly the liver. Mark Moyad (MD, MPH), of the University of Michigan considers vitamin C “the ideal nutrition marker for overall health.”

Mood boost – Various studies have shown a strong connection between the body’s vitamin C levels and our state of mind. Patients with a vitamin C deficiency have a greater tendency to feel depressed and tired. Vitamin C promotes the body’s production of norepinephrine, which in turn increases alertness and energy levels.

Collagen production is also supported by vitamin C. Collagen is most commonly referred to in terms skin and anti-aging, but it is far more than that, collagen is a protein that makes up 25-35% of the body’s protein. It ensures that bones, skin and connective tissue are well maintained.

The long-term benefits of vitamin C include keeping immune system deficiencies at bay, protection against cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems and can even help prevent eye disease.

Apple Facts:

• Apple trees take years to reach their first harvest
• Refrigerated apples ripen slower than apples left at room temperature
• Apples come in all shapes, sizes and colours, there are thousands of varieties to choose from.
• The heaviest apple ever recorded weighed approximately 1.9 kg – according to Guinness World Records.
• Apples along with peaches, plums, strawberries and cherries are a part of the Rosaceae (Rose) Family.
• Apples float due to their substantial air content which makes them less dense than water.

The British devote an entire day to the celebration of apples and orchids, Apple Day dates back all the way to the 90’s. We are 100% on-board to show apples some love, this year Apple Day falls on Wednesday the 25^th of September.