The benefits and harms of an apple for the human body

Apple – this is one of the most common fruits, since apple trees grow in almost every garden and on every street in many cities of Russia, and the fruit itself is present in our diet in any season of the year. This is a unique product and speaking about its properties, you need to know about the benefits and dangers of an apple, since the components contained in it, if used incorrectly, can negatively affect human health.

An apple is such a delicious fruit that you can eat it not only in its own form, but also prepare compotes, marmalades, preserves or juices from it. This fruit is also known as the fruit of health, because it is rich in an abundance of vitamins and minerals, with its help you can prevent colds and improve the quality of treatment for malignant tumors.

For many years now, nutritionists have been discussing how the apple affects the human body. What more will we get from eating the fruit – benefit or harm?

The benefits of an apple

The amount of valuable trace elements and ingredients in the composition of this fruit depends directly on the variety, maturity and place of cultivation of apples. But regardless of these indicators, any apple includes the following components:

• Fiber;
• Organic acids;
• Carbohydrates;
• Pectins;
• Proteins;
• Fats;
• Insoluble dietary fiber;
• Water.

How can this product surprise you?

• Destroys bacteria and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Apples are effective for use for patients suffering from infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, dysentery, chronic and acute colitis;
• Stimulates digestive processes, has diuretic, laxative and choleretic properties. Thanks to such abilities, this fruit will be very useful for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system, chronic cholecystitis, poor digestion and constipation. Apples restore the main functions of the gastrointestinal tract, improve intestinal motility, remove toxins and ensure normal stool;
• Eating apples regularly can help you lose weight. Many people, especially girls, have heard of apple diets and have even resorted to using them. The fact is that when this product enters the body, it stimulates the metabolism and processes carbohydrates not into fat deposits, but into energy. The sweet fruit can also be consumed on fasting days. Moreover, a green apple contains fiber, which is absorbed by the body for a long time and prolongs the feeling of fullness for a long period, while the product contains practically no fat and is 87 percent water – this helps a person eat fewer calories per day;
• Protects the cardiovascular system. Eating two apples daily can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels and prevent the development of such a dangerous disease as atherosclerosis. Apple’s ability to control cholesterol in the body is due to the presence of vitamin C, pectin and magnesium salts in its composition. Thanks to potassium, apples help to normalize blood pressure in case of hypertension or hypotension, increasing the elasticity, permeability and strength of blood vessels. Also, in people who have this fruit in their diet, the condition of the vessels improves, the heart muscle is fully functioning, hematopoiesis and blood quality are normalized, which prevents the development of anemia;
• Cleans the body of heavy metal salts, slags, toxins and radioactive substances. Apple is an irreplaceable fruit for people who work in harmful factories and enterprises, as it contains pectins in its composition. These substances neutralize arsenic and lead entering the body, bind and remove them outside;
• Prevents cancer.The peel of this fruit is rich in ascorbic acid and the antioxidant quercetin, which interact with each other to neutralize the activity of free radicals that destroy the tissues of our internal organs. But many people unjustifiably cut off the peel and eat apples without it. This fruit is especially good for the prevention of colon cancer – its insoluble fibers have a laxative effect and neutralize the appearance of constipation, which leads to such a serious illness;
• Rejuvenates the body.We have already mentioned pectin more than once in this article, because it is a very useful component that, among other things, slows down the aging process of the body. So, by regularly consuming apples, your skin will acquire a natural color, become more elastic, smooth and elastic, wrinkles will disappear. Supplements the action of pectin and iron, which the green apple boasts. Dietary iron has a beneficial effect not only on the condition of the skin, but also on the hair, increasing its shine and strength;
• Strengthens bones.This fruit of health also contains calcium, which strengthens bone tissue and tooth enamel. Therefore, this dessert is very effective for the prevention of caries, as well as diseases of the joints and spine, especially osteochondrosis and bone fragility. Especially apples are necessary for the elderly, in whom calcium is washed out of the body with age, and the bones gradually become less strong and lose their former structure;
• Green apple varieties are hypoallergenic.And this is great, since such a fruit is not dangerous either for children or for those who are prone to allergic reactions;
• Improves mood.Favorably affecting the nervous system, apples help a person to cope with the manifestations of stress and depression;
• For pregnant women, whose body is exposed to unthinkable stress, apples are needed more than ever.Experts strongly advise adding this fruit to the daily diet of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as it enriches the developing body and the mother’s body with all vital vitamins and elements. Nutritionists especially recommend that pregnant women eat green varieties, as they reduce the risk of having a baby with asthma, allergies, dermatitis and other skin diseases;
• Fruit seeds are not poisonous. Moreover, they also contain an abundance of iodine in their composition. Few people eat apple seeds, and in vain, since only a few grains are able to saturate the body with the daily norm of iodine, thereby normalizing the thyroid gland;
• Strengthens the immune system. The presence of ascorbic acid and many other immunomodulatory components in the fruit, as well as its availability at any time of the year, make the apple one of the best fruits for increasing the protective functions of the body and its resistance to viral and infectious diseases;
• The pectin in the fruit provides its low glycemic index. The product index determines its effect on blood sugar levels. Since the apple has a low index, when it is consumed, the possibility of sharp jumps in blood sugar levels is excluded. That is why this fruit is not contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus;
• Increases the breakdown of formic acid and neutralizes urinary production. In this regard, the sweet fruit is very useful for patients with atherosclerosis, rheumatism, gout, eczema and other skin diseases;
• It has a positive effect on the lymphatic system. Some of the ingredients in the apple improve the absorption of iron from other foods, even though the fruit itself also contains enough iron;
• When applied externally, it accelerates the healing of cracked nipples, hands and lips. To do this, chop 150 grams of apples on a grater and stir with butter in a one-to-one ratio. Use the product at night;
• Increases the acidity of gastric juice in gastritis with low acidity.

Harm to apples

The huge benefits of an apple can be spoiled by the harm caused to health if the rules for eating the fruit are not followed.

• If stomach problems are caused by the acidity of the juice, apples are prohibited. Sour varieties of fruit help to cope with low stomach acidity, as they increase it. Accordingly, gastritis with high acidity is a contraindication to taking sour apples, otherwise it will aggravate the course of the disease;
• The pits of the fruit contain hydrocyanic acid. This is a poisonous substance that can provoke poisoning. But if you eat no more than 3-4 seeds, then this will not exceed the safe concentration of acid in the body;
• Prolonged adherence to a weight loss diet can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract. Apple diets are very popular due to the fact that these fruits burn excess fat. But if you eat in accordance with these diets for too long, then an excess of coarse fiber will lead to exacerbation of colitis. You should not resort to the apple diet and people with stomach or duodenal ulcers;
• It has a bad effect on tooth enamel. Malic acids, when interacting with sugar, destroy tooth enamel, and therefore immediately after eating the fruit, rinse your mouth with water.

Now you know everything about the benefits and dangers of an apple. In conclusion, we can say that an apple is a unique and one of the most affordable fruits in our area. It can be used in any form, while all its useful properties will be preserved. Eat apples, but only in moderation, and you are guaranteed good health.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of an apple

Video about the benefits and harms of apples