Apple cider is a drink that is as natural as it is healthy. Discover what benefits it brings, and what its most important nutritional properties for health are.
Every Christmas, every year, the consumption of cider increases considerably, that delicious drink that in many countries (especially ours), is used to toast at Christmas dinners and meals in the company of family and friends. In addition to its flavor, the truth is that we are faced with a digestive drink that helps regulate certain intestinal functions, which is why it becomes an ideal drink after the copious meals and dinners so common at this special time of year. .
The cider is an alcoholic beverage, usually low alcohol, which is obtained from the fermentation of apple juice. That is, it is a drink that is made from fermented apple juice. For this reason, it is common for this drink to be popularly known also by the name of apple wine (although obviously in reality it is not).
Despite being an alcoholic beverage, it is actually low-proof, having a graduation of less than 3% by volume up to a maximum of 8% by volume. While, from a nutritional point of view, 100 cc. of cider provide 4 grams of alcohol, 6 grams of carbohydrates and around 52 calories.
Nutritional benefits of cider
As we briefly mentioned in the previous lines, cider stands out for being a drink of natural origin with a low alcohol content, in addition to providing few calories and not containing fat. If we take a look at the calories in cider, we find that a glass of cider with less than 3% by volume of alcohol provides only 31 calories. Therefore, everything will depend on the strength of the cider, since there are some varieties that can reach 8º of alcohol.
Cider is a natural drink that is especially rich in the following essential nutrients:
- Vitamins: provides vitamin C, B group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6 and B7), vitamin E and vitamin K.
- Minerals: provides potassium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.
- Other nutrients: as natural antioxidants, which help reduce the negative effects of free radicals. It also provides polyphenols and peptide substances.
Cider properties
Antioxidant benefits
Cider stands out for its richness in certain antioxidant substances, in the same way that wine does. However, we can say that it would be a much more recommended and beneficial alcoholic drink, since its contribution in alcohol is much lower.
Thanks to its richness in antioxidants, it is an ideal drink to protect us against cardiovascular diseases and coronary diseases. In fact, it stands out for its pectin content, helping to prevent myocardial infarction and arteriosclerosis.
Good for cardiovascular health
Precisely because of its pectin content and antioxidant substances, cider is an ideal drink for taking care of our cardiovascular health, helping us in a positive way in the prevention against coronary and cardiovascular diseases.
Helps reduce high cholesterol and triglycerides. In the particular case of cholesterol, it is a drink capable of lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and increasing good cholesterol (HDL).
It is also interesting when there is high blood pressure, since its richness in antioxidants and minerals such as potassium helps regulate blood pressure levels. While due to its quercetin content, it is a drink that prevents stroke.
Rich in digestive enzymes
As with apples, cider is a very digestive drink, being rich in digestive enzymes that help regulate our intestines, so it is interesting in case of occasional constipation.
On the other hand, it also helps to balance the intestinal flora.
Other interesting benefits that we could not forget
In addition to the benefits of cider indicated above, it also provides other interesting qualities:
- It is a drink rich in polyphenols such as quercetin. This compound helps fight allergies naturally.
- It is a purifying and diuretic drink.
- It helps to eliminate uric acid, being suitable in case of high uric acid.
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Useful to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
