Of course, everyone knows that the health benefits of apples are invaluable; this fact is known even to the smallest. However, not everyone understands what is contained in these fruits and why they deserve such fame.
Fruit loved since childhood
An apple can be easily found in a bowl of fruit in almost every house and at any time of the year. Since childhood, we are accustomed to these juicy and tasty fruits. Someone eats them raw, while someone prefers desserts or other dishes from them. They are wet, canned, dried, baked, made from them fruit drinks, jams, preserves and compotes and, of course, they know that they are very useful for the health of both children and adults.
It should be noted that now on the store shelves and at the bazaar you can find different varieties of apples - green, red, yellow, etc. Some can be grown in natural conditions, and some can be grown in greenhouses. For every eater there is an apple with a suitable taste and aroma - sweet, sour or sweet and sour. They are grown in the winter, and in the spring, and in the summer. But they differ not only in appearance and taste, but also in the content of vitamins, sugars, acids and trace elements. Therefore, not all apples are equally healthy.
What are apples good for?
The main part of the fruit is water - 80%. The remaining 20% are useful substances - fiber, micro and macro elements, vitamins, as well as organic acids. Per 100 g of product, about 2 g of dietary fiber, which is about 10% of the daily allowance, accounts for excellent digestion. Tartaric, citric and malic acids inhibit the processes of fermentation and decay in the gastrointestinal tract, and chlorogenic acid improves liver functionality, being an excellent antioxidant. Tannins perfectly help to remove harmful uric acid from the body and have an antibacterial effect in the genitourinary system.
An apple can rightfully be called a storehouse of vitamins. This fruit contains retinol (A), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), pantothenic (B3), folic (B9) and ascorbic (C) acid, tocopherol (E), vitamin K, H and PP . Apples are an excellent source of iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, iodine, copper and other mineral elements. Such a composition can be envied by any of the fruits. In addition, this fruit has a very low calorie content - only about 50 kcal per 100 g, this quality is often used when it is included in the diet. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the health benefits of apples are not just fiction, but a scientifically confirmed fact.
What varieties of apples are better for health
It is known that the beneficial properties of apples are affected by the method, place and duration of storage, the region of growth and, of course, the variety. The most valuable for health are green apples. They are hypoallergenic, contain less sugar and more vitamins, unlike the rest. The use of baked apples in an oven of this color is in no way inferior to raw fruits of red, yellow or another variety. It is preferable to eat fresh apples from the direct owners of the garden than to acquire "brilliant" fruits in supermarkets.
An example of the most suitable fruit to enhance the health of the fruit is Antonovka. Apples, the use of which has also been proven, will hurt Semerenko, they are rich green, moderately acidic and very juicy. Both varieties are cultivated throughout the country, very popular and very affordable. It is better to beware of imported large and shiny apples. Often they are grown with the addition of chemicals, their surface is treated with pesticides, and they are transported long enough to fully maintain beneficial properties.
Who benefits from eating these fruits
Apples should be included in your diet for people who suffer from digestive problems. This fruit is perfect for patients with gastritis with low acidity, chronic colitis, infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The health benefits of apples are also in the high content of dietary fiber, which will help with constipation and intestinal motility disorders and prevent the development of cancer. Regular consumption of these fruits improves liver function. Bactericidal and antimicrobial properties of apples favorably in the presence of diseases of the genitourinary system.
They reduce the risk of atherosclerosis due to their ability to lower cholesterol. This is very important for patients with problems in the cardiovascular system. Tannins promote the excretion of uric acid, so the fruit is strongly recommended to be included in the diet of patients with gout. The benefits of fresh apples for obese people are undeniable, as it is a low-calorie product that inhibits fat deposition due to the presence of tartronic acid. They are recommended to eat with anemia and reduced hemoglobin. Pectins bind toxic substances and accelerate their excretion from the body.
The use of apples for children is not at all exaggerated, since this sweet and fragrant fruit is full of substances that are precious to a growing body. It improves the appetite of the child, improves immunity and cleanses the intestines.
Do vitamins persist in apple dishes
Many housewives are interested in what is the use of baked apples in the oven, microwaved, dried, soaked or used to make fruit compotes, preserves or fruit jam? After all, one does not always want to eat only raw fruits.
Definitely, the value of heat-treated apples is much lower than that of fresh apples. The maximum nutrients stored in baked fruits. Canned fruits contain some vitamins, but usually a lot of sugar is used in their preparation, which makes the dish more like a treat. Dried apples are high in calories and virtually vitamin C free.
Modern housewives have learned to cook apples in the microwave, the benefit of such a dish also remains at its best and it cooks much faster than in the oven. However, some sources talk about the dangers of microwaves for the human body.
Can apples do harm?
Despite the fact that in all respects, an apple is a “positive” fruit, and it has some “side” effects. It is proved that excessive consumption of fruits in food can cause gastritis and even peptic ulcer. This is due to the large number of coarse fibers and acids in the fruit, so patients with high acidity should opt for sweet fruits. It is undesirable to use apples with red peels for patients with various types of allergies. Organic acids, which are part of fruits, can harm tooth enamel, cause its thinning and destruction.
A separate topic is fruits that are grown using a variety of chemicals to improve growth, appearance and facilitate the transport of fruits. The health benefits of apples in this case remain a big question. Such fruits can cause acute poisoning or slow accumulation of harmful substances in the body. Therefore, you must be able to choose the "right" apples.
How to choose really healthy apples
In order to choose healthy and tasty apples when buying, you need to know a few simple rules:
- The fruit should be moderately hard.
- It should not contain dents, dark spots and soft places.
- Small apples are better than large ones. Large fruits are usually overripe.
- The apple should match its color in color.
- The lack of aroma indicates long and improper storage.
- A shiny apple is a sign of waxing.
- Worminess is a good sign. This is a sign of environmental friendliness of the product.
- Buy apples better from local "producers".
- Do not buy summer apples in winter and vice versa.
In order not to guess for a long time, you can purposefully come to the market for a specific variety of apples. Optimally healthy, tasty and inexpensive is Antonovka. Apples, the benefits of which are superior to many other fruits, will help to maintain health for many years. And it is true. After all, it is believed that one apple eaten per day replaces one trip to the doctor. And people who regularly eat these fruits live on average 17 years longer than the rest. Therefore, eating 2-3 apples a day, you can extend your life for several years and get a lot of pleasure from delicious and juicy fruits.