As a college student, it can sometimes be a struggle to get the recommended two servings of fruit and three servings of veggies each day. After a long day in the library or a night out, I don’t want anything to do with something that isn’t fried or covered in chocolate. Most days, all I can get into my mouth is half a banana or a few handfuls of grapes. Realizing how little college students consume fruit is eye-opening because these foods are essential to a healthy diet.
However, if you can only bring yourself to eat one piece of fruit a day, make it an apple. There are special properties in apples that actually aid in cleansing the mouth. So reach for that ripe Granny Smith. It could boost your health in more ways than one.
Apples naturally have high water and fiber content in their skin. Just the act of eating one and chewing through the crunchy outer layer produces saliva that naturally washes away bacteria. We all have those days where we hit snooze until 10 minutes before class. If you don’t have time to reach for your toothbrush, try grabbing a crisp apple, it’ll hold you over till you can brush.
In addition to the thick skin of apples, their acid content also acts on teeth in a helpful way. Apples naturally contain malic acid, which is also found in those expensive teeth whitening products. This acid acts as a mild astringent on teeth, which can make them appear brighter and whiter. After my morning dark roast with a double shot of espresso, I always follow it up with an apple to make sure my smile is stain-free.
Being in college with a full schedule and a social life is hard, and my teeth aren’t always on the forefront of my mind. The college budget doesn’t have room for fancy white strips, and I definitely don’t floss as much as I should. Eating an apple is an easy and practical way to maintain the health of your teeth without really doing anything except eating.