Crunchy, tasty, and healthy: the apple is a classic among fruit varieties. It tastes pure, as a juice, in cakes or hearty dishes. In addition, it has a positive effect on our bodies. Read here why the apple is so healthy, what nutrients it contains and why older varieties are suitable for allergy sufferers.
They are among the most popular types of fruit: Apples are eaten most frequently by people . While a man consumes 107 grams of apples a day, women consume 118 grams.
The apple is a so-called pome fruit and belongs to the rose family. Sweet, tart, sour: many different varieties are harvested at other times. Storage also varies.
An Apple Is So Healthy!
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” – this saying is well known. But which complaints do apples influence? We present the current findings.
Protection Against Cardiovascular Diseases
The findings on the secondary plant substances are still relatively new and only partially researched. These include the so-called polyphenols contained in apples.
They are said to protect the body from free radicals. These arise during normal metabolic processes and UV radiation, nicotine, and medication. They increase the risk of arteriosclerosis – a heart disease in which blood fats, blood clots, and connective tissue are deposited and calcified inside the vessels.
Polyphenols also affect blood clotting and blood pressure. They also offer protection against cardiovascular diseases.
How many polyphenols are in a single apple depends on the variety and the climate? Older varieties such as Eifeler Rambur, Alkmene, Goldparmäne and Roter Boskoop tend to contain more polyphenols.
Polyphenols have been deliberately avoided inbreeding newer apple varieties such as Golden Delicious, Gala, or Jonagold. The background: Without the secondary plant substances, they taste sweeter and do not turn brown as quickly after cutting.
Polyphenols interact with pectin and vitamin E, also contained in apples. Pectin is a water-soluble dietary fiber. The colon bacteria break it down into butyric acid, which has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Vitamin E has an anti-inflammatory effect because it protects the body cells from free radicals. Important to know: Inflammatory processes are often the trigger for cardiovascular diseases.
Reducing The Risk Of Cancer
Several studies show that people who ate an apple a day reduced their risk of developing various types of cancer. These include diseases such as lung and colon cancer. One reason is the secondary plant substances contained in the apple, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.
Good For Digestion
Grated apples are a proven home remedy when it comes to diarrhea. This is partly due to the ingredient pectin, which strengthens digestion. The reason: the polysaccharide swells in the intestine. This binds excess liquid. In addition, pectin lines the intestinal wall with a protective gel film and neutralizes toxins.
The effect of grated apples is more substantial because it increases the surface area of the apple pieces. It is best to let them brown briefly in the air. This creates even more pectin. The Jonagold and Boskoop varieties, in particular, contain pectin.
Prevents Respiratory Diseases
Apples also contain the secondary plant substance quercetin, a natural antihistamine that is helpful against allergies. Quercetin also strengthens the immune system, develops an antiviral effect, and thus helps to prevent respiratory diseases.
Scottish scientists also found that high apple consumption during pregnancy protected the unborn child from developing asthma. Effects were seen when the women ate at least four apples a week.
The scientists also found that children who drank apple juice daily were less likely to suffer from coughing, wheezing, and specific whistling sounds when exhaling.
ALSO READ: HEALTHY DIET: THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T EAT THE FRUIT IN THE EVENING