Drinking Apple Cider Each Day May Keep the Doctor Away

It's that time of year again for hayrides and apple cider. This beverage, however. is more than a seasonal drink and is relatively healthy. Most everyone has heard the old adage of "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"What you may not be aware of is that drinking apple cider can yield the same benefits as eating apples. If you indulge in apple cider during the fall and winter, you should know it can be delicious and nutritious. You can also drink it year-round if you can find it. Here is the breakdown if you never understood the difference between cider and juice. Apple cider is the raw, unfiltered juice from apples. This product is created by mashing fresh apples until they obtain the consistency of applesauce. The mush is wrapped in cloth and put into wooden racks. It is then squeezed through a hydraulic press, and if served unfiltered, you have obtained cider. You have apple juice if the liquid is filtered and the pulp and sediment removed. The pulp is where the nutrients reside, so cider is healthier than juice. There are ten specific benefits that you will get from drinking apple cider.

1. A study from the University of Massachusetts concluded that apple cider may improve cognitive skills because of its high level of antioxidants. This is great news for aging adults who may be dealing with short-term memory loss and are concerned with cognitive decline as they age.

2. Apple cider has antioxidant flavanoids, which have been shown in studies to prevent heart disease and cancer and decrease the risk for type II diabetes.

3. The fiber in apple cider keeps the digestive system flowing and can prevent constipation.

4. Fiber also helps maintain heart health as well as weight which may prevent obesity.

5. Apple cider has polyphenols that may play a role in preventing cancer or heart disease. Cider has about ten times the polyphenols as apple juice.

6. Apples and cider have pectin, which has been proven by studies to absorb bad cholesterol.

7. An eight-ounce glass of apple cider counts as two servings of fruit, which helps you obtain your recommended daily allowance.

8. Potassium improves muscle strength and promotes heart health. Eight ounces of apple cider contains four percent of the potassium needed daily.

9. Vitamin C benefits the immune system; one glass of cider offers six percent. A healthy immune system can reduce the risk of colds and flu.

10. Iron is vital for brain and blood function. A glass of cider has about two percent of the iron needed daily.

You can drink apple cider hot or cold, or it is delicious. A mug of hot cider on a cool day can make you feel much better. You can add nutmeg, orange slices, a cinnamon stick or a clove to improve the taste and help you get into the holiday feeling. You can heat your cider using a pot on the top of the stove or put a mug in the microwave for about two minutes. Today I had a glass of cold cider for lunch and a cup of hot cider with my evening meal.

Apple cider is a seasonal product but you may be able to purchase it all year by checking with your local farmer's market, natural foods store or an apple orchard. Cider will not be in demand all year so supplies may be limited. Apple cider has 120 calories per eight-ounce glass and contains no fat or added sugar. If you dislike raw apples, consider cider instead of apple juice.

Please be advised that in some states, apple cider may also be unpasteurized, which may cause it to ferment over time. In other states, there is no difference between juice and cider except the labeling. True apple cider will have a thicker consistency than juice and may look cloudy. Once you have had a few drinks of this beverage, your taste buds should be able to tell the difference.