National Apple Day on October 21 recalls apple's health benefits and farmers' toil

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is an old English saying many have heard since childhood. It is called more than a proverb, a golden rule for good health. National Apple Day is observed with enthusiasm every year on October 21, in India and across the world.

The day aims to spread awareness of the importance of a nutritious fruit like the apple, to provide information about its different varieties, and to encourage people to include fruit in their daily diet.

The apple is regarded as a true sign of good health. It is said that nature has packed this fruit with the qualities the human body needs. In today's hectic, modern lifestyle, junk food and processed items are harming health. Eating a fresh apple every day is described as an easy way to keep many illnesses at bay.

The apple is not just delicious but is also considered a cure-all for many ailments. It is a particularly good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and plenty of fibre (pectin). The powerful antioxidants in it protect the body's cells from damage.

The apple is also described as very beneficial for the heart. The fibre and antioxidants in it help reduce the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood, which considerably lowers the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack. For people with digestive problems or constipation, its soluble fibre is described as useful in keeping digestion healthy. Eating apples regularly strengthens the immune system and keeps blood sugar in check, which is why the apple is also considered a safe fruit for diabetes patients.

On National Apple Day, schools, health organisations and many social and environmental groups across the country hold special programmes. In schools, young children are told about the benefits of apples so that they develop the habit of eating fruit instead of junk food. Health organisations hold talks by dietitians, which explain in detail the right time and way to eat apples.

Information on the different varieties of apple is also shared on the day. In India, apples are grown extensively in cool regions such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Hundreds of varieties are available in the market, such as Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Shimla apple, Kinnaur apple and Gala. Each variety differs in taste, texture and colour.

An apple reaches our plate or hand easily, but behind growing it on the tree lies enormous effort by farmers. Raising apple orchards in snow-covered hill areas, amid harsh weather, is not easy. From caring for the plants to pruning at the right time, using pesticides safely, and plucking the fruit and getting it to the market safely, farmers work day and night.

National Apple Day is a special occasion to thank these hardworking farmers and remember their contribution. It is because of their labour that fresh, nutritious fruit reaches us every day. On this day, giving preference to fruit grown by local farmers is described as our duty.