Okay, okay, we know what you’re thinking: this age-old question again? Well, yeah, we are asking, but this time it’s to really pick an answer. The fall season is quickly rolling around the bend and with it comes apple orchards, spiced everything and yes, the ever omnipresent sniffle and sneeze of the (dun, dun, dun) common cold. So when you want to boost your immunity and pack in the most vitamins and minerals as possible in one fruit serving, which sweet treat should you take a bite out of?
Apple nutrition
There’s no need to hit up an orchard or spend a day baking in the kitchen to dig into all that this juicy fruit has to offer. A medium-sized apple eaten with the skin on delivers antioxidant benefits that help keep our arteries clean, lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar. Plus, the phytonutrients provide anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid those who suffer from asthma.
Apple calories
There are about 95 calories in 182 grams of apple.
How much fiber is in an apple?
While both apples and oranges contain a high amount of fiber, apples contain about 5 grams compared to the 3 grams in an orange. However, where the red piece of produce wins in the fiber category it falls short in every other nutritional area compared to its orange opponent. It’s higher in calories (not that we should obsess over fruit calories) and contains less potassium, folate and vitamin C. So while eating an apple each day might speed up our digestive system a little faster than an orange, it won’t necessarily live up to its tall tale of keeping the doctor away.
Orange nutrition
As much as we might love the crisp air, changing leaves and fresh attitude that comes with a new season, we often forget the evil stepsisters that tag along with the fall season: stuffy noses, scratchy throats and watery eyes from a trail of sneezes. Yep, allergies and the common cold can sure put a damper on our obsession of this newfound season, but that’s where we can enlist the help of an orange. This thick-skinned, juicy, peelable fruit provides an excellent source of vitamin C–nearly 140 percent of the daily requirement compared to only 7 percent in apples. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that contains what the body needs to develop and repair tissue, blood vessels, bones and skin, so consuming as much as possible is a helpful way to ward off that sickness taking over the office.
Orange calories
There are 45 calories in just under 100 grams of orange.
In addition, oranges contain 72 mg of calcium and 326 mg of potassium compared to 7 mg of calcium and 117 mg of potassium in apples. These elements help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system by regulating the contraction of the heart muscle. While it might not contain as much fiber as the other tree-born fruit, its flu-fighting power makes up for it.
Apples vs oranges
A clear winner comes forth if you’re trying to boost your immune system before the winter hits. While apples contain more fiber, an important nutrient that aids in healthy digestion and lowering cholesterol, oranges provide more vitamins and minerals including the ever-powerful vitamin C. So, yes, you won’t lose by noshing on both juicy fruits, but an orange will set you up for more success in the season of battling the common cold. And that’s just sweet.
FAQs
Apples vs oranges
Which is healthier apples or oranges? ›
Apples or Oranges
The orange provides more vitamins, minerals and fiber compared with the apple. It also provides more calories, but the additional energy it provides in the diet is balanced by the additional nutrient benefits.
Is orange or apple juice healthier? ›
Orange juice is known to have large amounts of vitamin C and has nearly double the potassium of apple juice. Orange juice is highly acidic, which in large amounts can damage the teeth, while apple juice isn't. Despite that, the vitamin amount in orange juice could massively outweigh the benefits of apple juice.
Are apples the healthiest fruit? ›
Apples are high fiber fruits, meaning that eating them could boost heart health and promote weight loss. The pectin in apples helps to maintain good gut health. Research has shown that there is a link between eating apples regularly and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.
Is it good to eat apples and oranges every day? ›
The antioxidants found in Vitamin C, and therefore oranges, act best against colorectal cancer and skin cancers. Eat more apples and oranges on a regular basis to reap the benefits. These surprising advantages make the fruits ideal snacks and meal additions for everyday eating.
What fruit is the highest in sugar? ›
Which Fruits Have the Most Sugar?
- Mangoes. 1/13. Fruit's good for you! ...
- Grapes. 2/13. A cup of these has about 23 grams sugar. ...
- Cherries. 3/13. They're sweet, and they have the sugar to show for it: A cup of them has 18 grams. ...
- Pears. 4/13. ...
- Watermelon. 5/13. ...
- Figs. 6/13. ...
- Bananas. 7/13. ...
- Less Sugar: Avocados. 8/13.
apples (pH: 3.30–4.00) peaches (pH: 3.30–4.05) oranges (pH: 3.69–4.34)
Why is it better to eat an apple than apple juice? ›
When you drink juice, the rate at which the sugar (glucose) gets into the bloodstream is much, much faster. The fiber in the apple slows digestion down, making it easier for your body to handle the sugar in the apple.
Which color apple is the healthiest? ›
Red Delicious apples are the healthiest from an antioxidant standpoint, Crumble Smith says. The darker the color of the apple, the richer it'll be in antioxidants. Antioxidants help neutralize the free radicals in our bodies which, when imbalanced, can cause cell damage and lead to disease.
Should you actually eat an apple everyday? ›
After all, an apple a day is a healthier way. Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Research says apples may also help you lose weight while improving your gut and brain health. Did you know apples are the most widely consumed fruit globally?
A clear winner comes forth if you're trying to boost your immune system before the winter hits. While apples contain more fiber, an important nutrient that aids in healthy digestion and lowering cholesterol, oranges provide more vitamins and minerals including the ever-powerful vitamin C.
What fruit should you eat every day? ›
Of all fruit, berries tend to be the lowest in carbs. So if you're counting carbs, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are all excellent choices. At the end of the day, fruits are very nutritious, but they don't contain any essential nutrients that you can't get from other foods, like vegetables.
What if I eat only apples for a week? ›
The diet can help you to lose 5lb a week! 'Apples have always been good for weight loss. They act as a fat-loss accelerator and are high in fibre, 4-5g per apple, which helps stop hunger pangs, The natural sugar in apples also cuts sweet cravings. The diet can help you to lose 5lb a week!
What fruit has least amount of sugar? ›
Low-sugar fruits include:
- Strawberries. Strawberries, like many other berries, are often high in fiber and contain very little sugar. ...
- Peaches. Although they taste sweet, a medium sized peach only contains around 13 g of sugar .
- Blackberries. ...
- Lemons and limes. ...
- Honeydew melon. ...
- Oranges. ...
- Grapefruit. ...
- Avocados.
Oranges are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins and minerals. The most noteworthy of these is vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant that prevents cell damage. How does it work? Every cell in the body contains DNA, which is vulnerable to damage, or mutations, when exposed to free radicals.
