Have you ever seen a green apple? It’s not actually that unusual. Some green apples do appear naturally – perhaps from a trace of bioluminescent bacteria in the soil. But when you see a green apple in the grocery store, that’s usually because it’s been painted that color to appear more attractive.
Green apples are a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, they seem like they would be inedible. On the other hand, some green apple juice is marketed as a healthy alternative to soda. What gives? Let’s take a look at the benefits of green apples to see if this unusual fruit is worth taking a bite.
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What Are the Benefits of Green Apples?
There are a few reasons to pick up a green apple on the grocery store shelf. Green apples are high in fiber, vitamin C, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant that has been shown to have a range of health benefits, including preventing heart disease and cancer.
In addition to these healthy chemicals, green apples are also high in natural sugars that are comparable to those found in fruit juice, making them a great alternative to soda. They’re also a good source of potassium, vitamin E, and manganese.
That being said, there are also some downsides to eating green apples. Since most green apples are artificially colored, they don’t have any health benefits of their own. They’re just a convenient source of sugars and antioxidants.
However, there are still some potential benefits of eating green apples. Studies have suggested that eating apples may help with cholesterol and blood glucose management.
That being said, there are many other fruits that are much healthier than a green apple. Furthermore, there are many brands of apple juice that are marketed as “healthy” and are loaded with artificial sweeteners, making them neither healthy nor a good source of antioxidants.
Benefits of eating green apples
Benefits of drinking green juice
Why Is Green Apple Juice Consumed?
There are many reasons to choose a green apple over other fruit. One of the most important ones is that green apples are packed with sugar, antioxidants, and nutrients that are otherwise hard to find in fruit.
This is why apples are commonly served at snack bars and sold as healthy juice. The problem is that these apples are not healthy at all.
But, if you choose the right brand of apple juice, you can get a bunch of the benefits of eating an apple without any of the downsides.
Why Is Green Apple Painted in the First Place?
It’s natural to wonder why commercially produced apples are ever painted green. There are several hypotheses that have been proposed over the years.
Perhaps the most convincing one is that green apples are more appealing to consumers. It might also be that green is a more economically viable shade of apple to use, as most consumers associate apples with green.
Either way, commercially produced apples are consistently painted green. Why? It’s not entirely clear.
A common explanation is that apple growers want to make their apples look fresher. They might also want an apple that’s more visually appealing to consumers.
The green color may also help prevent browning, as green apples don’t turn brown as quickly as other apples.
How to Choose a Healthy Green Apple
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a healthy green apple. First, always check the label to make sure there aren’t any added sweeteners. Next, try to find a green apple that is organic and not coated with wax.
Finally, make sure you are buying a green apple that is naturally green. Natural green apples are unlikely to be artificially colored, so you should only pick up one that is naturally green.
Is Green Apple Juice Healthy?
While it may sound too good to be true, there is some truth to the claim that green apple juice is healthy. In fact, it’s almost completely sugar with a few vitamins and minerals thrown in.
If you’re trying to lose weight, reduce your cholesterol, or manage blood glucose levels, drinking apple juice is not the best option.
Instead, consider consuming 100% fruit, which will provide all of the vitamins and minerals you need without all of the extra calories.
In terms of taste, there is nothing wrong with drinking apple juice if it’s naturally green and you are getting a variety of other fruits in your diet.
Should You Eat Green Apples?
Eating one raw green apple is unlikely to make or break your health. In fact, it’s likely to be a bit of a nuisance.
That being said, eating too many green apples is certainly not a good idea. Some studies have suggested that eating apples have no impact on blood glucose levels or cholesterol. That being said, eating a healthy, varied diet is much better for your health than eating a single green apple.
There are many other fruits that are much healthier than a green apple. Furthermore, there are many brands of apple juice that are marketed as “healthy” and are loaded with artificial sweeteners, making them neither healthy nor a good source of antioxidants.
Instead of picking up one of these green apples from the grocery store shelf, try picking up a banana instead. Bananas are full of potassium and vitamins, and they taste great when eaten raw.
Summary
There are many benefits of eating green apples, but they are likely not a healthy snack for the average person. Instead, pick up a banana instead and get your healthy fruits from other fruits that are likely to be much healthier than a green apple.
