Apple Juice Home Remedy

Raw apples may provide a greater degree of health benefits, both as a home remedy and in disease prevention, but apple juice can also play an effective role in the treatment of certain illnesses and conditions.

Compounds provide anti-oxidant properties

Whether consuming the fruit or the juice, the health benefits of apples come not only from an assortment of important vitamins and minerals, but also from compounds found in apples called phytonutrients and polyphenols, both of which have anti-oxidant properties. These properties help reduce cell damage, decrease the risk of heart disease, and protect the body against age-related diseases.

Juice An Effective Home Remedy

Apple juice has been used as a home remedy for constipation, treatment of a variety of skin conditions including wrinkles and inflammation, and softening gallstones. Drinking apple juice, along with apple cider vinegar, can relieve some symptoms of stomach viruses. Taken with cranberry juice, apple juice can help dissolve bacteria associated with urinary tract infections.

In addition, apple juice is often recommended for the elderly who suffer from arthritis and rheumatism. The juice contains healthy amounts of potassium and boron, which help build stronger bones and joints, and can lessen the debilitating effects of these age-related diseases.

Disease Prevention Properties

Aside from serving as an effective home remedy, apple juice is being used increasingly in disease prevention.

Apple juice can help reduce the risk of heart disease by delaying the breakdown of LDL, or bad cholesterol, which when oxidized, leads to the formation of plaque and thickening of the arteries.

A team of researchers at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine determined in a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food that drinking apple juice can slow the process that can lead to the onset of heart disease.

A very moderate intake of apple juice has the potential to reduce risk factors for heart disease in a fairly short period of time, according to lead researcher and registered dietician Diane Hyson, PhD. This is the first clinical study to show the potential benefits of active compounds in apple juice and apples.

In a study published in the European Respiratory Journal, research scientists for the UKs National Heart and Lung Institute found that children who regularly drink apple juice are less likely to suffer from asthma, indicating that apple products can help maintain lung health.

The phytonutrients, polyphenols and flavonoids found in apples and apple juice have been shown to have a positive effect on the body in terms of the ability to reduce the risk of these diseases primarily because of the powerful anti-oxidant properties.

Cloudy Is Better Than Clear

Its important to note, however, that these health benefits are only found in the cloudy, and not the clear, form of apple juice.

According to research, cloudy apple juice contains apple pulp particles, which include the important disease-fighting anti-oxidants. One study of four different types of juices showed that cloudy juices were more effective in attacking and binding free radicals--cells that are damaging to the body and can lead to disease.

The results of the study conducted by a team of Polish researchers and published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, revealed that cloudy juice had about four times the amount of polyphenols than clear juice, which loses beneficial fiber, anti-oxidants and flavonoid content through the process of clarification and filtration.

While eating fresh apples can provide even greater health benefits, drinking apple juice is the next best route for helping people stay healthy, prevent disease and live longer lives.