Essay on An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away – Expansion of Idea
The world we live in is marked by pollution. Hence, medical health is a fundamental part of our lives. That being said, the proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” still holds good. Our parents and teachers have always used this idiom as a social health message. Often elders use this phrase to make the children eat healthier meals.
It encourages us to maintain a healthy routine to stay away from all kinds of illnesses. Apple (in this idiom) is symbolic of the healthiest foods that are essential for our well-being. Eating an apple regularly is strongly recommended as it prevents diseases. It is a storehouse of multi-vitamins, minerals, and fibres.
Apples contain Vitamin C, which boosts our immune system, heals our wounds, and builds our muscles. One medium-sized apple is equivalent to 81 calories of energy. It contains flavonoids that act like antioxidants (phytochemical) which are great for our body. The proverb is all the more relevant when we are surrounded by modern varieties of food. Let us discuss the importance of this proverb in our day to day lives.
‘An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away’ – Meaning
The phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” has a literal meaning. If you eat an apple every day, you will remain healthy. Looking after our health is always a great idea. As a result, you will not need to visit the doctor quite often. But does it keep the doctor away? There are no conclusive pieces of evidence of it. However, it drives you towards becoming physically fit and fine.
The phrase also has a broader (more general) sense to it. It emphasizes on having a healthy lifestyle overall. You need not involve eating an apple in your daily routine. However, you need to stick to a healthy eating habit. The proverb makes us realize that simple acts can contribute greatly towards maintaining good health.
Where did this idiom come from?
The idea of eating apples has been prevailing since ages. It dates back to the Ayurvedic medications in Southern Asia. How do you think this idiom came into existence? The origin of this idiom is debatable. Some say it was first used in around 1630 in The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. However, there is no clear citation to its first use.
It is considered to have originated in the year 1866 in Wales. A slightly varied version of the idiom was first published in the Notes and Queries magazine. It went like- “Eat an apple on going to bed, And you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread”. Here, the bread referred to a doctor’s mode of income. It roughly meant you will stop the doctor from earning as he will be treating fewer patients.
By the early 20th century, the proverb had been modified into its present form. Various versions of rhyme started circulating all over England (including the present version of the proverb). The modern-day proverb was first published in 1913 in the book Rustic Speech and Folk-lore (written by Elizabeth Wright).
Significance of this idiom – Why do we need to eat apples?
The typhoon of junk food has taken over the markets. The ease of accessibility tempts us to consume it. And it has created disastrous effects on the health of people. Children are especially its most affected victims. Chronic cases of diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. are increasing day by day.
Lately, kids are suffering from dental problems, bad headaches, and even depression. This is because there our modern lifestyle is lacking the concept of “healthy” in many ways.
So what about this proverb makes it useful to us? In the past, people used to use the word “apple” for any round fruit they found on a tree. They came to believe that the habit of eating fresh fruits daily will benefit their health. All these things make us wonder- Is this true? Yes, it is. Nutritious foods like apples are healthy snacks. They are sweet to eat and have a lot of uses.
The phytonutrients present in them prevent strokes and cancer. Apples are zero-fat, low in sodium, and have no cholesterol. They are enriched with potassium and magnesium, which regulate our heartbeat. Dentists believe apples also have anti-septic properties. They prevent tooth-decay by killing the germs. The skin of the apple must be consumed. It contains five times more Vitamin A than the pulp.
This helps in bone development and strengthens our vision. Research and study reports have indicated that the lung function of apple-eaters is better than those of non-apple eaters.
Apples contain pectin (a type of fibre that acts as a prebiotic) which detoxifies our body. It provides us with the galacturonic acid. This acid eliminates toxic elements present in our body. Malic acid present in the apples is good for the functioning of the liver and promotes digestion. The flavonoids in an apple reduce inflammation.
In some cases, they are found to minimize asthma in children and adults. Apples also are used as a brain tonic. Mental illnesses that occur with ageing can be controlled by eating apples. Quercetin is a reddish pigment which is found in apples. This might prevent Alzheimer’s disease and also provide relief against allergies.
Health can be both mental and physical, both of which are equally valuable. This proverb reminds us of how important health is. It motivates us to value ourselves and follow a good routine. We can improve our life we follow these simple steps. Taking action at the right time saves us from troubles later on. Fewer health issues mean less pain and more money. You get to save more if you are not sick.
Conclusion
Establishing a healthy routine is of prime importance. After all, no one wants to be sick. We cannot expect others to take care of us. It is our responsibility to do so. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle does not happen quickly. It takes years of practice, dedication, and hard work. However, you can always take one day at a time and slowly put more effort into it.
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