The apple is the undisputed favorite fruit. It can be processed in many ways and is considered very healthy. But why is that?
An apple contains many healthy ingredients
Vitamins: Apples contain the vitamin A and B vitamins. The vitamin C content depends heavily on the variety: the Braeburn is the front runner with 24-35 milligrams per 100 grams and can even keep up with a tangerine. The well-known varieties Golden Delicious and Elstar rank further behind with around 10-15 milligrams per 100 grams.
Nutrients: Not only the vitamins make the apple so healthy: It is also rich in minerals such as potassium and calcium and contains fructose and glucose, i.e. easily digestible carbohydrates. The natural dietary fiber pectin promotes digestion.
Skin: Most of the healthy components of the apple are in or directly under the skin: For a balanced diet, you should therefore eat them. The color of the skin also reveals something about the nutritional value of the apple: reddish apples contain anthocyanins, which are beneficial for blood vessel health. In addition, green-skinned apples are often imported from overseas and harvested when they are still unripe – so they have less time to form their nutrients. In addition, their long transport route has a negative impact on the climate.
Calories: Apples are mostly made up of water. A medium-sized apple weighing 100 grams therefore only has an average of 57 kilocalories. Because of the pectin it contains, it is still filling and therefore the ideal snack for in between.
Effects of the apple on health
Because the apple is so rich in healthy phytochemicals, numerous studies have been conducted into possible healing effects. Researchers have observed several positive health effects:
Gastrointestinal complaints: Very finely grated apple is a tried and tested home remedy for diarrhea. The pectin swells in the intestine and helps the body to bind the intestinal contents.
Cholesterol levels: Anyone who eats apples regularly can lower their cholesterol – this was the result of a study by Florida State University. The participants were able to lower their cholesterol levels by 23 percent within six months and slightly reduce their body weight by regularly eating dried apples and plums.
Colon cancer: In a laboratory experiment, oligosaccharides, a specific form of carbohydrates, were extracted from apples. According to the researchers, these substances were able to fight human colon cancer cells more effectively than chemotherapy. This is mainly due to the fact that the natural active ingredients are not toxic to healthy cells. They can therefore be dosed higher. However, the result has not yet been confirmed by further studies.
Antioxidant effect: Secondary plant substances are among the antioxidants, so they can render free radicals in the body harmless and thus strengthen the cells. This effect was demonstrated in particular in an experiment with apples as part of a study by the Max Rubner Institute in Karlsruhe: After test persons had eaten a larger quantity of apples, their cells were significantly less damaged.
An apple has the most healthy ingredients when it is eaten fresh and ripe. Only a few of the secondary plant substances are lost through storage. If the apple is processed into juice or mush, on the other hand, there are hardly any healthy nutrients left.
