According to nutritionists, both apples and apple products are loaded with a variety of nutrients that have been shown to help maintain your health:

-- Just one apple contains as much soluble fiber as a piece of whole wheat bread or a half cup of raw broccoli. This type of dietary fiber has been shown to both help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. -- Apples, apple juice and apple sauce are great sources of both the natural sugar, fructose and water -- which provide a natural source of energy to keep you moving and hydrated throughout the day. -- At just 80 calories, an apple is a low-calorie, tasty treat for those watching their weight. -- Apples and apple products contain between 3 and 8 percent of the Daily Value for potassium. Consuming 3500 milligrams of this essential nutrient each day may help reduce high blood pressure. -- Apples are also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C. This antioxidant aids in guarding the body against damaging free radicals, those nasty compounds that accumulate in our bodies and ultimately wreak havoc on our healthy cells. Apples provide about 10-15% the recommended daily intake (DV) of vitamin C.

On top of all of those fabulous nutrition facts, apples are naturally 100% cholesterol, fat, and sodium free -- which make this fruit a nutritious nibble for those concerned with their heart's health.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons to dive into a jar of apple sauce or grab an apple for an on-the-go treat. However, researchers only recently discovered the true power behind one of America's favorite fruits.

In the September 2002 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Paul Knekt and colleagues reported that eating apples regularly may help reduce the risk of asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. This is just one of several studies that have linked health benefits to a newly discovered class of compounds that are abundant in both apples and a variety of apple-based foods.

"Nutrition scientists have identified other disease fighting compounds, besides vitamin C, in apples," explains Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, an associate director and chief of antioxidants research laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. He explains that these compounds, called flavonoids, are powerful antioxidants that are associated with reducing the risk for many diseases associated with aging -- such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.

According to nutrition researchers at Cornell University, almost all of the apple's disease-fighting fury comes from these recently revealed phytonutrients. "Just one small fresh apple with the peel (approximately 100 grams) provides the total antioxidant activity equal to 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C," states Dr. Rui Hai Liu, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science at Cornell. And, "while it's the peel that's highly concentrated in these phytonutrients, all parts of the apple contribute to its health-protecting benefits," says Lori Stern, R.D., a nutritionist with Mott's Inc., the nation's leading producer of branded apple juice and sauce.

But, the good news doesn't stop there. If you're a fan of apple sauce and apple juice, research has found that these foods contain many of the same nutrients found in the whole apple. Just remember, every time you pour yourself a glass of refreshing 100% apple juice, dive into a jar of apple sauce, or grab a piece of this fantastic fruit, you're not only satisfying your sweet tooth; you're also helping your body defeat disease.