Apples: reliable allies of women's heart health

A study conducted by American scientists has shown that adding just 2 apples to the diet daily can significantly improve the health of the weaker sex, especially in the critical, postmenopausal period of life. This simple step can help reduce abnormal cholesterol levels and protect the heart from various diseases.

The study participants, female volunteers, consumed apples every day for six months. As a result, the level of harmful cholesterol in them decreased by 13%. According to experts, such a positive effect of apples is due to the high content of pectin compounds in them. Pectin is able to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and the presence of fiber in apples enhances the beneficial effect of pectins, which capture excess cholesterol from food and remove it from the body.

In addition to apples, large amounts of pectin are also found in prunes, which were also studied as part of this experiment. However, when prunes were consumed, the effect was somewhat lower than when apples were consumed daily - cholesterol levels were reduced by only 6%. Despite this, scientists consider this figure to be quite satisfactory in terms of reducing the risk of heart problems.

Experts remind that increased cholesterol levels are often associated with heart problems in post-menopausal women. Cholesterol negatively affects arterial blood vessels, including those that feed the heart muscle, and leads to oxygen deprivation and nutrient deficiencies for heart cells. In the period after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, women's bodies face dramatic changes that affect specifically the cardiovascular system.

Experts recommend consuming apples both fresh and in the form of apple chips or sun-dried slices. These simple steps can be strong allies in maintaining women's heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease, especially in adulthood. One of the best ways to promote heart health and overall body health is to eat a proper and balanced diet that includes healthy foods, such as apples, and provides the body with everything it needs to maintain optimal health.