I’m sure you heard the old Welsh proverb, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” That saying becomes especially timely as we grow older. An Oxford University study claims that if you start eating apples every day after you’re over 50, it’s just as good as taking a heart pill (statin) and that eating more fruit prevents over 8,500 heart attacks per year.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to encourage you to disobey your doctor’s orders and go off your meds. That would be dumb and dangerous. However, if you’re not at the point of needing heart pills, or you’re taking them and want to feel better, then start eating more apples.
This Ayurvedic Stewed Apples recipe is based on the ancient principles of Ayurveda, whole body medicine.
Enjoy this recipe!
Stewed Apples
Ingredients
- 1 organic apple whatever variety you like
- 1 Tbsp organic raisins
- Pinch of clove
- Pinch of nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cardamom
- water to just cover the apples in a small saucepan
Instructions
- Peel the apple or pear and chop it into small pieces.
- Place the fruit is a small saucepan and add the water.
- Add the raisins and spices.
- Bring it to a boil and then simmer it on low.
- Cook it for about 20 minutes until the fruit is very tender.
- Remove the apples and place them on a serving dish.
- Use the remaining liquid as a tea.
Why you should eat stewed apples every day to keep the doctor away
A Florida State study found that women 45 – 65, who started eating an apple a day, experienced a 23 percent drop in levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and a 4% increase in good cholesterol (HDL) after 6 months. Apples and pears were also found to prevent stroke, according to Dutch researchers, in an article written in the American Heart Association Journal.
The pectin and polyphenols in apples boost metabolism and reduce the production of molecules that cause inflammation. Apples are also loaded with fiber!
Why are warm fruits recommended by Ayurveda?
A friend of mine, who is an Ayurvedic practitioner, told me that I should simmer an apple or pear for 20 minutes every morning and eat it 1 hour before breakfast. She said that if you’ve just woken up, your tummy isn’t ready for a full meal. The simmered apple helps break your fast gently.
Ayurveda is a system of Hindu traditional medicine. It teaches that a cooked apple is better for you than a raw one because it’s warm and soft like soup. The benefit of warmed fruits, especially in the fall and winter, is that they heat your body, especially when they are combined with warming spices. The fiber in a simmered apple or pear improves digestion by cleansing your system and eliminating impurities.
Eat a stewed apple each morning to feel better and live longer.
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