We have been familiar with the usefulness of apples since childhood. From the older generation we were told to eat fresh fruit to get the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients necessary for health. However, we hardly ever thought about how apples affect our body, as well as about their ability to cause harm if used incorrectly. We tell you what is the benefit of red, yellow and green fruits and what you need to know about them in order not to become a victim of negative properties.
What are apples good for?
They contain many vitamins and minerals
Apples contain vitamins A, C, B1, B2, PP and E, as well as magnesium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, selenium, potassium, calcium and zinc. Together they give us vitality, help us cope with stressful situations, improve brain function and strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Nevertheless, one type of fruit cannot fill the daily quota of vitamins and minerals. Fruit contains ten times less vitamin C than oranges. One apple weighing 150 grams provides us with only 8% of the necessary vitamin C and 2% of vitamin A. But the iodine content of apples, especially the seeds, is second only to seafood.
They protect against cancer, heart disease, vascular disease and aging
This is due to antioxidants. Apples are the leading fruit in terms of their content. Interestingly, actioxidants are not destroyed by storage, unlike vitamins. They also protect the lungs from the effects of nicotine.
Scientists from Cornell University in the USA found out that apple extracts really help to block cancer cells. Only cranberry extract competes with the fruit. However, the doctors concluded that it is not the fruit itself that fights diseases. But the body with their help becomes capable of defeating dangerous diseases.
A number of healing properties have apple peel – if, of course, the fruit is not store-bought. Therefore, those who like to peel it off before use, deprive themselves of much.
Revitalize the blood and lower blood pressure
The iron in apples increases hemoglobin levels. This is especially useful in large blood loss and anemia. In addition, the fruit is recommended to eat hypertensive people. Fruits are able to lower blood pressure, as they remove excess salt and water from the body.
They improve digestion
Apples have malic, boric, salicylic and citric acids. They help improve digestion by stimulating the production of bile and gastric juice. In addition, plant cells of fruits are a natural sorbent, which removes poisons from the body. So when poisoned, apples will also be useful.
Lower cholesterol
Soluble fiber apples bind fats in the intestine, which leads to a decrease in blood cholesterol levels and protects against its excessive accumulation. Nutritionists have concluded that after three weeks of apple diet, the cholesterol index can be reduced by 30%. And to lower it by 16%, it is enough just to eat 2-3 apples a day.
Help to lose weight
Apples have a fairly low calorie content, if you eat them fresh and baked – 47 and 66 kcal in 100 g sootvezhnosti. There are no fats in the fruit, but there are carbohydrates, which can give a feeling of satiety for a while. But here is dried apples should not be carried away, as their caloric content increases to 253 kcal in 100 g.
Red, yellow, green: which are better?
To take the maximum of useful properties from apples, it is necessary to find out which variety is suitable for you. Nutritionist and nutritionist Anna Berseneva told in her Instagram what exactly affects the color of apples.
Anna: The color of apples is influenced by the presence of pigments, chlorophyll, anthocyanins and carotenoids in the peel. Everyone has their own favorite apples. Why one likes yellow ones, while the other adores green Simirenko? Most likely, the body is intuitively drawn to the color that reflects the presence of those vitamins that are most relevant to him at the moment.
Green fruits have the least amount of sugar. Consequently, it has the lowest calorie count. But it has the most valuable substances and acids. Among them is fiber, which can remove toxic substances from the body. Also sour green apples do not cause allergies, have a positive effect on the health of teeth and oral cavity, good for obesity and diabetes.
Red apples belong to sweet fruits, which are recommended to eat in cardiovascular diseases, kidney and liver diseases. This type is ideal for skin beauty and an even complexion, but the sugar in the composition softens tooth enamel. Diabetics are also not advised to use such fruits.
Our expert told us that red apples can not only be eaten, but also massage your face with them.
Anna: To do this, take a thin slice of fresh apple, remove the skin and be sure to check that there are no hard parts of the core. Make light massaging circular movements, especially where there are swellings. This procedure helps to cleanse the pores, moisturizes the skin, removes puffiness and bags under the eyes.
Yellow apples have less iron, but more pectin, which gives the body resistance to heavy metal salts, radioactive and toxic substances. This type is good for the liver and promotes the secretion of bile.
Anna: Yellow apples – golden deliches, banana apples and others – have a special caramel flavor. The flavor of yellow apples is very different from green and red apples. They contain a large amount of pectin, effectively remove toxins from the body, promote the formation of healthy microflora and bile secretion, revitalize the liver.
Negative properties of apples
Even the most useful product can cause harm with immoderate use. The same is true with apples.
High content of acids
If you do not know the measure, this factor can play a cruel joke with you and negatively affect the mucous membranes. People with peptic ulcer disease, especially duodenal ulcers, should be more vigilant, because the acids contained in the fruit are contraindicated for them. Although there is an opinion that one apple after a meal will not hurt. And those who suffer from gastritis are advised to eat only fruits of sweet varieties.
Cultivation with the help of pesticides and toxins
If it comes to shiny and smooth apples, which are painted on the shelf of the store, it is worth understanding that they were grown in a not entirely natural way. Pesticides, chemicals and toxins are used to ripen the fruit quickly. American scientists from the Environmental Working Group found out that apples are among the top 5 fruits that tend to accumulate these harmful substances. It is much safer to give preference to dacha fruits, although they are not so beautiful in appearance.
And yet the main guarantee of good health is the knowledge of measure. Fanaticism does not lead to anything good, even if we are talking about proper nutrition.
Anna: Apples improve metabolic processes, are an effective prevention of dysbacteriosis, contribute to the removal of toxic compounds from the body. But remember: everything is fine in moderation. You should not eat more than 2-3 medium apples a day. Acids contained in them, can not only act as a metabolism booster, but also have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes. And remember that small, uneven apples are much tastier and healthier than the shiny companions on the supermarket shelves.