Take the "Apple in the Morning" Challenge

Hold on before you head out to Starbucks first thing before work. The caffeine boost may be desirable, but you might want to pick up a Red Delicious from your fruit bowl as you leave for the day instead. While the old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" has followed us around for generations, in recent years a question has arisen: are apples the way of the future in place of that morning cup of coffee?

Though an apple may not have caffeine to perk you up, there are additional benefits to the little fruit that may make it a better choice for you in the long run. If you're keen to cut down on your coffee intake, read below to find out what benefits you may get from an apple diet instead.

Give that blood sugar a kick after you wake up.

What makes apples a good choice instead of coffee is that the amount of natural sugar in apples can give you a boost in ways similar to caffeine. Many people suffer from low blood sugar in the mornings, so eating an apple before you start your day can really make a difference, especially in lieu of coffee. A medium-sized apple can have as much as 19 grams of sugar especially with the added benefits that they are low in calories as well. The fiber and carbohydrate aspects of apples are also appealing in that they can offer a spike in energy levels for your body to get through the day.

Lower your risk of health issues by substituting your coffee habit with an apple (at least some of the time).

Let's be honest: caffeine probably isn't good for you in the grander scheme of your life. The national average has Americans drinking 3 cups of coffee a day with one brewed cup of coffee having 96 mg of caffeine—meaning, if you're a coffee addict, you may be going over your limit if you drink too many cups a day. Overconsumption of caffeine can lead to increases in anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia among other risks such as higher blood pressure and heart problems. Though you may not want to give up coffee entirely, there is something to be said that "moderation" should be a thinking point if you do find yourself experiencing symptoms of a high caffeine intake.

The natural sugars in apples are better for you than your coffee creamer or flavored shot of choice.

I know, I know: no one likes to be badgered into doing something new, especially when something (such as coffee drinking) is such an ingrained way of living. After all, 64% of American adults say they drink coffee, a startling number if you think of the implications there and the potential health risks involved if someone is overindulging. A study of different coffee drinks around the country showed that these drinks can have high amounts of sugar (sometimes even more than a can of regular soda) that may affect your body negatively if you indulge regularly. An apple, on the other hand, has a more tolerable level of sugar that would give you just enough of a boost in the morning.

Think of the money you'll be saving!

Anyone who has gone through a drive-through to Starbucks knows that the drinks, especially the fancy ones, aren't cheap. Stats about how much Americans spend on coffee drinks each year has an average of about $2000 per person—definitely not a number to take lightly. A pound of apples, on the other hand, would cost you only about $1.50 (depending on where you live). Let's say you did make the drastic switch from coffee to apples: you would be saving quite a bit of money throughout the year, especially since coffee would set you back $3 a cup on average. You could likely start your own savings plan for the year if you just cut down on the coffee and bought yourself a few pounds of apples to balance things out. Sound fair?

It's good for you!

As mentioned above, caffeine has its downfalls, especially if taken in excess. But on the other end of the spectrum, what will you gain by adding apples to your daily diet? Eating apples regularly can lead to higher regulation of weight, better heart health, lowered risks of diabetes and cancer, and additional benefits for your bones, allergies, stomach, and potentially even your brain's memory. Even if you don't want to lighten your coffee intake, increasing your apple consumption will likely help you out health-wise to some degree!

All that to say...

No one expects you to kick the coffee habit anytime soon, but keep in mind that too much of something can be a bad thing, no matter what it is. And if eating an apple instead of drinking a cup of coffee a day or two a week will have better health benefits for your body, then maybe it's time to give that routine a try.

So will you take the "apple in the morning" challenge? Maybe it will give you just the energy you need to tackle the rest of your day—especially if you're looking to cut down on your java indulgence!

Don't forget to check out my other articles pertaining to consumerism and entertainment as well! I also write poems. A lot. If any of that interests you, just keep an eye out on my recent entries for the latest up-to-date writings to be read. Thank you for the support!