Organic Apples

Organic apples are great for so many reasons!

Did you know that an apple contains more than one million bacteria? This is what scientists at Graz University of Technology found out in a 2019 study. Eating apples is therefore not only beneficial because they contain an abundance of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, fiber but also because they contain microbes. The bacteria found in the seeds and flesh, can have beneficial effects on the microbiota in your intestine. In this study, it was also examined whether there is a difference between apples from conventional cultivation vs organic apples. The result was clear: the organic apples showed significantly more diverse bacterial communities. So enjoy your organic apples and stay healthy!

Study: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190724090255.htm

The Relationship Between Apples and Uric Acid

We all know apples have benefits – but did you know they also reduce uric acid levels?

Uric acid is a natural waste by-product produced from the digestion of foods that contain purine. Usually the body filters out most of the uric acid through the kidneys but when we consume foods high in purine (such as certain meats, beer, and sardines) uric acid build can occur.
A build up of uric acid can lead to a painful condition called gout. Health conditions that can also lead to high uric acid levels include kidney disease/kidney dysfunction, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, and diabetes.

One way to help reduce your uric acid levels is through apples and apple cider vinegar! The malic acid that apples contain has been associated with lowering plasma uric acid. Here is another reason to eat an apple a day!

Apple-Oat Crumble with Walnuts

Eating a healthy and balanced diet, has a wide range of positive effects on your body including on your skin and hair. For example, apples contain valuable vitamins and nutrients that are important for healthy looking skin. The recipe below is a great way to incorporate apples into your diet.

Ingredients (1 serving):
160 g (1 cup) of sour apples (e.g. Granny Smith)
30 g rolled oats
15 g butter
20 g chopped walnuts
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Lemon juice
Pinch of salt

Preparation:
Cut the apple into small cubes or slices, mix with lemon juice and place into a small greased casserole dish. Combine the nuts and oats and then add together with the butter, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Gently work the mixture with your hands to form crumbles. Spread the mixture over the apple slices and bake at 300 °F (150 °C) for 20 to 30 minutes. Enjoy!

The crumble can be adapted to your own plan depending on the phase and food list. If you don’t have lemon on your plan, you can substitute lemon zest. Instead of oats you can also use rye flakes and some chia seeds.

Variety of Food Matters

Did you know that older varieties of apples are better for you than new? Old varieties contain more valuable dietary fibers such as cellulose or pectin and important vitamins and polyphenols. Varieties that are in the older category include Granny Smith, and Red and Golden Delicious.

More importantly this idea does not just apply to apples but also to other groups of foods such as corn. Check out this article from 2013 in the New York Times below to learn more.

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/opinion/sunday/breeding-the-nutrition-out-of-our-food.html