Amazing Apple Fruit Benefits

In cases of both diarrhea and constipation, apple fruit benefits are quite enormous. This is because this fruit is one of the fruits for the intestine.

Although, apple is not the most widely grown fruit, however, it is regarded as the Queen of fruits. This may be as a result of its combination with every other fruits and also aside the fact that its virtues regarding culinary and medicinal purposes are quite enormous.

Other name:

French:     Pomme

Spanish:   Manzana

German:   April

It belongs to the botanical family Rosaceae. They are not grown in the tropics as the fruit requires some cold weather.

Apple Properties

The carbohydrates in form of sugars are 12.6% and there’s no other nutrients that stands out in its composition. The sugars are primarily fructose and significant amount of glucose and saccharose.

Apple contains little amount of proteins and fats. The vitamins found in apple are vitamins C and E while its minerals include potassium and iron. However, their amounts are somewhat limited.

As a matter of fact, it nutrients supply 59 calories per 100 grams. Looking at this ordinary nutritional composition, it is difficult to agree that apple fruit benefits are quite enormous.

However, it has extraordinary dietary and therapeutic properties that present it as a true medicinal food.

In essence, the above mentioned properties or composition of apple by itself does not justify its therapeutic effects but its non nutritive components do.

The non-nutritive components are the substances found in plants based foods and do not provide energy and whose functions was unknown until recently.

Apple Fruit Composition

Per 100 grams of raw edible portion

Energy                =       59.0 kcal = 245 kj

Carbohydrates   =       12.6 g

Protein                 =       0.190 g

Vitamin A   =       5.00 μg RE

Vitamin B₁ =       0.017 mg

Vitamin B₂ =       0.014 mg

Niacin        =       0.110 mg NE

Vitamin B₆ =       0.048 mg

Folate        =       ___

Vitamin B₁₂          =       ___

Vitamin C   =       5.70 mg

Vitamin E   =       0.320 mg ∝-TE

Calcium     =       7.00 mg

Phosphorus        =       7.00 mg

Magnesium         =       5.00 mg

Iron             =       0.180 mg

Potassium           =       115 mg

Zinc            =       0.040 mg

Total Fat    =       0.360 g

Saturated Fat     =       0.058 g

Cholesterol =      ____

Sodium      =       1.50 mg

This based on % Daily Value provided by 100 grams of Apple; as provided by Encyclopaedia of Foods and Their Healing Power

Percentage Composition of Apple

Fiber          =       2.70%

Minerals     =       0.260%

Carbohydrates   =       12.6%

Fat              =       0.360%

Protein       =       0.190%

Water         =       83.9%

The following are some of the non nutritive components are

1. Organic acids
2. Tannins
3. Boron
4. Pectin
5. Flavonoids

Organic acids: They present just 1 to 1.5% of the weight of apple as it pertains on its variety. Malic acid is the most prevalent.

However,  there are salicylic acids, citric, lactic and sucinic acids. One of the apple fruit benefits here is that, when these organic acids are metabolised, they produce antacid in the blood and tissues. They also renew the intestinal flora and prevent intestinal fermentation.

Tannins: Apple is quite rich in tannins and they provide astringent and anti inflammatory effects.

Boron: This little mineral plays a vital role within the body and one of the roles includes; facilitating the assimilation of calcium and magnesium. This means that apple fruit benefits also include the prevention of osteoporosis.

Pectin: About 2.4 grams per 100 grams of fiber in the apple is pectin. As a matter of fact, pectin retains water and other waste materials in the intestine thereby acting as an intestinal broom that promotes the elimination of toxins with the feces.

Flavonoids: They are a group of photochemicals present in plant-based foods that are capable of preventing the oxidation of substances that convey cholesterol in the blood.

In essence, one of the apple fruit benefits here is that flavonoids keep cholesterol from depositing on arterial walls and also halt the development or progress of arteriosclerosis.

Quercetin is the most active flavonoid because it acts as an antioxidant.

Indications on Apple Fruit Benefits

The substances discussed above explain the many medicinal properties of apple.  As it is, the following are some of its numerous effects and properties

1. Laxative
2. Diuretic
3. Depurant
4. Reduces blood lipid levels
5. Choleretic
6. Alkalizer
7. Nerve tonic
8. Antioxidant

In essence, the eating apples on a daily benefits both the healthy and the ill, especially in cases of the following;

1. Constipation
2. Diarrhea and colitis
3. Hypertension
4. Excess cholesterol
5. Gallstones
6. Arteriosclerosis
7. Diabetes
8. Colon cancer

Constipation

Apple fruit benefits here help regulate intestinal function and also correct the imbalance brought about by constipation and diarrhea. Consuming them on an empty stomach help overcome intestinal hypotony.

Diarrhea and colitis

With pectin, it acts as a sponge that absorbs and eliminates the toxins produced by the bacteria that causes gastroenteritis and colitis. The organic acids acts as antiseptics and restore the normal bacterial flora in the intestine.

Hypertension

A study conducted in Japan proved that those who eat apple regularly have lower blood pressure that those who don’t.

This is because it contains no sodium and quite rich in potassium which has enormous contribution to their hypertensive effects.

Excess Cholesterol

Eating two or three apples a day for about three months has been shown to reduce cholesterol level. The pectin acts as one that absorbs biliary salts in the intestine.

Gallstone

Another apple fruit benefits is that, they have choleretic effect which means they increase bile production in the lever.  This helps to decongest the liver. Another apple fruit benefits here is that they also reduce the lithogenic index of the bile.

Arteriosclerosis

Since they are rich in flavonoids, quercetin in particular, apple fruit benefits are seen in their effect to help prevent the deposit of cholesterol within arteries.

Flavonoids also inhibit platelets stickiness. Therefore, eating apples everyday helps prevent narrowing of the coronary arteries, which leads to heart attack.

Diabetes

Diabetics tolerate apples quite well because the significant amount of sugar in them is fructose and this requires less insulin. Again, pectin acts to regulate the release of sugars, allowing them into the bloodstream slowly and progressively.

Colon Cancer

Apple pectin is capable of preventing the development or growth of cancerous tumours of the colon. This is why it is recommended for those who are at high risk for colon cancer and also those that have been diagnosed and/or treated, so as to avoid its relapse.

Preparation and Use

1. Baked: This is quite delicious and one of the highly digestible methods of consuming apples.
2. Cooked: When prepared in this manner, it should be eaten with the cooking liquid. This is easy to digest and quite appropriate for infants.
3. Juice: Natural unprocessed juice is preferable to that prepared industrially.
4. Raw: It is recommended you peel it before eating as it may contain some pesticides and diffuse to digest.
5. Applesauce: It is recommended for children, the elderly and those weakened by ailments. Use modern stainless steel if a glass grater becomes inadequate.

 

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