A clear answer to a popular common question in the light of modern scientific research. Photo: File
Today is the season of apples, fresh apples are available for 1200 rupees. Eat them and get health.
It is known that eating an apple a day keeps people away from the doctor. But does the science of nutrition confirm this statement? According to nutritionists, apples are rich in fiber and vitamin C. Some magnesium is also found. This fruit is free from salt, fat and cholesterol. The main feature of apple is that it contains various “bioactive substances”.
Bioactive substances refer to natural substances that are found in small amounts in many foods. However, they play an important role in providing wealth of health to all living beings including humans. There are hundreds of varieties of them. Since the apple also contains many bioactive substances, nutritionists have placed it in the “functional food” (functional food).
Functional foods are those that contain bioactive substances in addition to vitamins and minerals. That is why they are superior and higher in nutrition than normal foods. Remember, according to experts, the term “superfood” is meaningless because no natural food contains all types of nutrients. It is just a commercial slogan that companies make to sell their products.
Each bioactive substance in the body of an organism performs its specific function. It especially protects a person from diseases like cancer, heart disease and type 1 diabetes. There is a bioactive substance called “Pectin” in apples. This is a type of fiber. This substance reduces the amount of sugar and fat in the human body and protects people from heart diseases and type 1 diabetes. Apple fiber is also a laxative, so it does not cause constipation in humans, which is a disease called Umm al-Maraz.
Apples are also rich in polyphenols, bioactive substances. These substances keep people healthy and protect them from various diseases. They are found in the skin of apples, so they are less common in juice. Polyphenols are useful in cardiovascular diseases. It also prevents the eater from becoming a victim of Alzheimer’s disease in which memory is lost. Apples also contain a bioactive substance called phloridzin. This substance also reduces the amount of sugar in human blood. Thus, apple is a useful fruit for type 1 diabetes patients. Nutritionists say that eating two apples a day has more medical benefits. Scientific research has also discovered the following benefits of apples:
Body weight loss
Apple is a fruit rich in fiber and water, and both these natural bounties keep the stomach feeling fuller for longer. One study found that people who ate an apple before a meal felt full longer than others. The same study found that people who ate an apple at the start of a meal burned an average of 200 fewer calories than others.
Heart protection
Polyphenols help prevent heart disease by reducing blood pressure, harmful cholesterol and oxidative stress. Another study found that eating an apple a day has the same effect as drugs used to lower cholesterol levels. are eaten. That is, this fruit is as effective in reducing the risk of death from heart disease as drugs.
Protection from cancer
Several studies have shown that the bioactive substances in apples reduce the risk of cancer in humans. The reason is that the bioactive substances in apples act as “antioxidants”. They prevent the formation of “free radicals” in the human body, which are toxic elements. These free radicals play an important role in causing cancer.
Prevent asthma
A study of more than 68,000 women found that women who ate more apples had a lower risk of developing asthma. Eating a large apple a day can reduce the risk of this disease by 10 percent. The polyphenols in apple peels strengthen the immune system and help reduce inflammation. Both of these help prevent asthma and allergies.
Make bones strong
Eating fruit increases bone density. Researchers believe that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in apples improve bone strength and density. Some research reports have shown that the habit of eating apples has positive effects on bone health. A study found that women who ate apples had less calcium deficiency in their bodies than others.
Useful for the mind
Apple juice prevents age-related brain degeneration. An animal study found that drinking this juice reduced the rate of harmful reactive oxygen species accumulating in brain tissue and reduced the risk of dementia. In fact, apple juice protects acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter that decreases with age. Its deficiency also increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits the gut bacteria
Eating apples on a regular basis increases the number of beneficial bacteria in our digestive system. According to a 2017 study published in the journal Nutrients, consumption of different types of apples significantly increased the number of bacteria called Actinomyces in the stomach of people. These improve the overall health of the digestive system.
Dental health
A 2018 scientific study published in the journal PLoS One found that eating apples reduced people’s susceptibility to oral pathogens. This process keeps the whiteness of the teeth healthy. Apple also helps in eliminating bad breath.
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