One of the greatest tips to lose weight that I’ve found involves apples. Apples, remember them? When was the last time you ate an apple? "An apple a day helps keep the doctor away" is how the old proverb goes. I’m not sure how that saying originated, but it is more true than most people know. Unfortunately, most people treat apples like they’re still the forbidden fruit that helped exile man from the Garden of Eden. Nonetheless, eating apples can help you achieve your weight loss goals, as well as a host of other benefits.

Here are some of the health benefits of eating apples:

Weight Loss – One study found that women who ate 3 apples a day lost more weight while dieting than women who didn’t (more on this in a moment).

Bone Protection – Apples contain a flavanoid called phloridzin than can help prevent osteoporosis and may increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones

Asthma Help – One study found that asthmatic children who drank apple juice daily suffered from less wheezing than those who didn’t. As well, children born to pregnant women who ate apples have lower rates of asthma.

Lower Cholesterol – Due to the pectin they contain, people who consume 2 or more apples a day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Alzheimer’s Protection – It has been found that the quercetin in apples may protect the brain from free radical damage, which many believe lead to Alzheimer’s.

Lung Cancer Protection – In a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin found in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention – A Cornell study found that rate who ate a single apple a day may reduce their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent Rats that ate 3 apples a day reduced their risk by 39 percent!

Colon Cancer Protection – Rats that were fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention – Rats fed an apple skin extract had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management – The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the need of insulin and can help in the management of diabetes.

That’s a pretty impressive list of health benefits from eating apples, don’t you think? But I know what you’re thinking. How can I use apples to lose weight, and get the above benefits as well?

Here’s what you need to do. Eating an apple a day is definitely good for you, but eating 3 apples a day is what will really get the job done. Ideally you will want to eat an apple about 30 minutes before each major meal. Not only will this help to satiate you so that you will eat less, but I suspect that it helps to prepare your body for the food that is going to follow. Your body can then more easily absorb the nutrients it needs, and get rid of the rest. Try this apple method and let me know how it goes. I suspect that within 2 weeks you will agree with me that this is one of the best tips to lose weight ever.

If you are going to try this apple method to lose weight, here are some guidelines to follow:

Always eat the skin. The insoluble fiber that your body needs to clean out your system is in the skin of the apple. This is vital for weight loss.

Consume 3 apples a day 30 minutes before every meal. Eating the apple during the meal or afterwards will not have the same effect.

If you really want to rocket your weight loss, only eat apples in the morning till noon. Then eat an apple 30 minutes before lunch and 30 minutes before dinner.