If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard the old ‘adage’ “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away!” But does it really? When I was a little girl, my stepdad told us that eating carrots everyday would improve our eyesight and keep it healthy.
But something must’ve went wrong in my case because I ate a carrot everyday and still ended up wearing glasses. The truth is that a carrot had nothing to do with my DNA or genetics.
So what about apples? Could they really keep a doctor away? Harvard Medical School did a study called “Association Between Apple Consumption and Physician Visits,” and it was conducted to see if the saying was an old wives’ tale or based on solid facts from actual nutrition data.
They collected a total of 8,400 men and women but only 753 of them ate an apple a day. The study concluded that the old adage was an old wives tale and they didn’t find any evidence that supported its findings. The upside is that adults who do follow this simple rule tend to use fewer prescription meds.
In this fast-paced world, we try to find quick and simple ways to achieve things that take quite a bit of effort. Apples, carrots or broccoli is not meant to be lifelong alternatives to keep you from visiting the doctor on the regular and getting checked out.
Yes, they are meant to help and give you the proper nutrients your body needs to function correctly but it was never meant to replace your physician.
Here are things you can add to your daily intake of apples, to get your body moving in the right direction.
1. Schedule regular doctor visits.
Now I’m preaching to the choir on this one, because I hate visiting the doctor; especially if I’m not ill or sick. But a regular visit to the doctor can assure you that while you may be eating all the right things, a regular visit confirms that your body is functioning as it should be.
2. Drink plenty of water.
Water is the best beverage you can drink, because it’s refreshing and it’s healthy, since it contains no calories or artificial sweeteners and sugars. Water is a natural body cleanser that gets rid of nasty toxins and helps to keep our digestive system flowing properly.
Drink a glass of water before bed and it will reduce your risk of a heart attack. So if you haven’t already, make water your BFF; it will not steer you wrong.
3. Eat healthy regularly!
Many times when people grab onto a trend, they only focus on that and ignore everything else. It takes more than just an apple a day to keep you feeling energized and balanced.
If you only want to eat your favorites, maybe you should try the 80/20 or 70/30 plan. In these diet plans, you eat clean 80 or 70 percent of the time and eat whatever you want the other time.
4. Take baby steps.
Let’s face it, Rome wasn’t built overnight, but they were laying bricks every hour. Start small and don’t rush into anything because if you do, you might stumble and fall.
Taking small steps will ensure that whatever practice you have set forth for yourself will stick. Do what’s best for you and not what’s on trending NOW!
An apple a day may not really keep the doctor totally away, but it’s still a healthy treat that everyone can still enjoy.
Featured Image: iStock
Reflect & Refresh 