Apples and Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies are a Match Made in Dessert Heaven
This crunchy, delicious fruit comes in a number of types and flavors, ranging from sugary sweet to mouth-puckering sour, and can even be mixed with a large number of dishes!
At Baked Smart Cookie, we take great pride in using only the best and healthiest ingredients to create our spectacular treats that are not only scrumptious but nutritious too — and apples are one of four fruits we use in our vegan cookie recipe.
A Small Bite Into Apple History
Apples are edible fruits that are cultivated worldwide, but originated in Central Asia. The fruit was grown across Asia and Europe for thousands of years and has held religious and cultural significance in many cultures, including Norse, Greek, and European Christian traditions.Cultivated (human-produced) apple trees are usually 6 to 15 feet tall but can grow up to 30 feet in the wild and live for up to 100 years or longer. The trees usually bloom in the spring, while the fruits can take anywhere from 100 to 200 days to reach maturity, meaning most harvesting takes place during the summer and early fall.
To grow the most amount of fruits, apple trees do best when planted where they can receive full sun, and they grow best in well-drained loamy soil. While some tree varieties can withstand cold temperatures, it’s important they get protection from cold air and freezing temperatures, which can kill the apples.
Some of the most commonly eaten varieties of apples include:
- Red Delicious
- McIntosh
- Crispin
- Gala
- Granny Smith
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
Apples Contain A Lot of the Good Stuff Underneath Their Crisp Skin
Apples are chock full of vitamins and other essential nutrients that are great for your health. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a medium-sized apple offers 4.4 grams of fiber and 8.4 milligrams of vitamin C, along with a number of other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, apples are low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol.When consuming one medium-sized apple, you’ll be getting:
- 100 calories
- 25 grams of carbohydrates
- 19 grams of sugar
- A variety of vital antioxidants
When it comes to health benefits, apples also:
1.Help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure
Studies have linked apple consumption with a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease that is believed to be related to the benefits of the soluble fiber found in the fruit. Not only has the soluble fiber been tied to lowered blood pressure but also with the prevention of cholesterol buildup.
2.Aid with digestion
Apples are packed full of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which have been shown to:- Benefit digestion
- Slow the absorption of glucose
- Aid with both constipation and regularity
Just remember to eat the apple skin, which is where most of the apple’s soluble fiber can be found.
3.Protect yourself against cancer and type 2 diabetes
Research has shown that the antioxidants found in apples can slow the growth of cancer cells and also protect the cells in the human pancreas, lowering the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, a study published in 2016 found that individuals with type 2 diabetes that regularly consumed soluble fiber (like that found in apples) had reduced insulin resistance and improved blood sugar and triglyceride levels.
4.Enhance your immune system
Studies have shown that there is reason to believe that apples can help enhance your immune system because of the vitamin C they contain. Vitamin C plays an important role in the body’s immune system and can even protect against environmental stressors such as pollution.
5.Support weight loss
It should come as no surprise that a diet full of fruits and vegetables can help individuals maintain a healthy weight. Apples offer critical vitamins and minerals at only 95 calories, making them the perfect snack for those wanting to live a healthy lifestyle or shed a few pounds.
6.Protect your heart and much more
Some research has shown that the fiber and various chemicals found in an apple peel can protect against blood vessel damage and heart damage. Alongside protecting your heart, consuming apples has been scientifically shown to help with:
- Lung strength
- Asthma
- Bone health
- Brain health
- Immune system
- Gut health
Baked Smart Cookies are Made With Apples!
Our one-of-a-kind, healthy chocolate chip cookies are the perfect treat for children who don’t like to eat their fruits or veggies. And not only are our treats made with fruits like apples, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple, but they’re also organic, non-GMO, vegan, soy-free, and peanut-free!
Ready to get your hands on our delicious treats?
