Virginia Apples are a hidden treasure right in our own backyards

Virginia Apples are the bestPhoto byShelley PaulsonUnsplash

Homegrown apples are the best

When I was attending Lord Betetourt High School in Daleville, some children got on our bus just as we passed the entrance to Ikenberry Orchards. We were told their families came to the area to pick apples and then returned to Florida. In my neck of the woods, we also picked our own apples and pears which were plentiful on trees throughout the area.

Murray Apple Cider also comes from locally grown apples and is produced in this area and has been a favorite for many locals for decades. Virginia apples are not only delicious but they make mouth-watering apple pies, apple tarts, and applesauce. I heard my grandma and others say that the apples you pick yourself are the best and these apples are loaded with nutrition.

Apples that are grown in Virginia are pre-packaged in nature's own wrapper, are the perfect take-along foods for on-the-go teens and adults. With more than one-third of US adolescents overweight and with many more worried about it, the 80 calorie apple can be a delicious part of a nutritious weight control program.

Apples are loaded with benefitsPhoto byJames YaremaonUnsplash

An apple a day might keep the doctor away

There is a saying that an apple a day can keep the doctor away and research from Science Focus agrees that people who eat apples on a regular basis are less likely to need visits to a general practitioner because of the nutrients in this fruit Virginia apples contain no cholesterol, fat, or sodium and when substituted for high-calorie snacks loaded with saturated fat they can assist in weight loss.

Apples from the Commonwealth are low in calories and high in fiber. They are also rich in complex carbohydrates and contain Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, thiamin, magnesium, phosphorus, and carotenoids like Vitamin A. The fiber in apples helps the digestive system to run smoothly and also promotes healthy brain function and blood sugar levels.

Apples also boost the immune system and have been shown to reduce the risk of gallstones. No matter where you live in the Commonwealth you will find Virginia apples so be sure to use this natural resource and reap the benefits.