«One apple a day, the doctor goes beyond it», says a greek saying, which was not accidentally worded but reflects the opinion of older generations about this extraordinary autumnal fruit.
Nowadays, apple is not the "forbidden fruit" that banished the creatures from Paradise. On the contrary, it is a juicy fruit that we can procure from everywhere and has multiple health benefits.
The apple tree fruit is a fruit that is widely cultivated and ripens every autumn. What makes it stand out is the many fiber and antioxidants it contains. And of course, its delicious taste, especially when it's a little crunchy.
There are dozens of varieties of apples. The PG Gennadius Plantation Dictionary states that apple varieties exceed 800, but today with hybrids this number has multiplied.
Historical facts
Apple tree has been known since prehistoric times, in both wild and cultivated form. Its origin lies in the area south of the Caucasus. The tree has been cultivated since ancient times in Asia and Europe. The cultivated apple is mentioned by Theophrastus in the 3rd century. B.C.
Today the apple tree is cultivated almost all over the world. It is typical that apple trees are found even in Siberia, where temperatures can drop to -40 degrees Celsius in winter.
In Greece apple production was very low. Today, annual production exceeds 350,000 tonnes, making it the second most important crop of deciduous fruit after peach. Suffice it to say that apples from various parts of Greece such as Kastoria, Larissa, etc. are exported up to the Arab countries.
Properties
The apple contains low calories, making it ideal for diets. At the same time, it has many vitamins (A, B, B2, C), iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus that make it valuable for the body.
Antioxidant flavonoids tend to inhibit enzymes such as? -Mylase and? -Glucosidase, which results in a decrease in the total amount of glucose absorbed by the body. In addition, apple polyphenols prevent the rise in blood sugar and activate insulin-secreting cells. This is precisely why apple is considered to be one of the fruits that shield against diabetes mellitus.
Of course, its benefits are not limited to them. Pectin and antioxidant polyphenols reduce "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels and blood oxidation, which are a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis.
In general, polyphenols fight free radicals, thus detoxifying the blood and body.
Flavonoid florizine, found in the apple peel, helps prevent osteoporosis, which is linked to menopause.
Due to the many fiber it contains - a medium apple with peel has about 3.3 g. fiber - helps in the treatment of constipation. The paradox is that the apple-containing pectin has a dual property: on the one hand it helps constipation and on the other it relieves diarrhea. Apple is considered one of the few fruits that is tolerated by the body in the event of diarrhea.
How to eat it
As with most fruits, if you purify the apple you lose almost half of the fiber it contains, as well as Vitamin C. So, the best way is to eat the apple with its peel.
Unfortunately, due to many chemicals this is almost forbidden. In an earlier article we have written about how to remove chemicals from fruits and vegetables. If you still want to eat the apple with the peel, it's best to choose organic. They may be a little more expensive, but they are healthier and tasty.
Another way is baked apples, which can be a very healthy sweet. Remove the pits and fill it with nuts, cinnamon and dried fruit.
By Dr Angel,
Aggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc Health Psychology
insta: dr_aggelikikoskeridou_official
