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About 2,500 apple varieties are grown in the U.S., but 10 of them make up 90of the U.S. crop. Washington is the #1 apple producing state in the U.S. producing about 60of the U.S. s 8.5 Billion pounds. An apple a day provides respectable amounts of both insoluble and soluble fiber (including pectin), some vitamin C, and potassium. Apples are also a good source of quercetin, a flavonoid that may help protect against heart disease. The fruit is fibrous, juicy, and non-sticky, making it a good tooth cleaner and gum stimulator (although you should still brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after eating an apple because of the acids in the juice). Apples are widely available and they store well if refrigerated; keeping them chilled preserves their crispness and conserves their nutrients. |
