We all know the famous adage, that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But turns out, that you also need to also eat it the right way for it to work its wonders on your health! Intrigued? So were we when we got to know that there is actually a “perfect way” to eat an apple. If you still don’t trust us, take a look at what Farzanah Nasser, a microbiome, hormones and gut specialist, had to say.
Taking to Instagram, the expert said that there actually is a perfect way to eat an apple. “There was a study that looked at apples and found that the core of the apple was packed with the most microbes! Just like most of our microbes live in our gut, most of the apples’ microbes live in the core — and most people will chuck out the core and miss out. So I’ve decided that the most perfect way to eat an apple is to slice it in rounds, pop the seeds out, lather it with almond butter and enjoy!” she captioned the post.
The 2019 study Nasser referred to found that a typical 240g organic or conventional apple contains around 100 million bacteria, and much of it is located in the fruit’s core, particularly the seeds. Only 10 million bacterial cells live in the flesh. “To the heroes among you who eat the whole apple: besides extra fibre, flavonoids and flavour, you’re also quaffing 10 times as many bacteria per fruit as your core-discarding counterparts,” the authors said in the study.
But is there any truth to this claim?
“Yes, various gut-friendly bacteria reside in the apple, and most of them in the core. As such, eating the core after removing the seeds provides ten times more healthy bacteria than eating the flesh alone,” Garima Goyal, a registered dietitian, told indianexpress.com.
Dr Jinal Patel, dietitian, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai added that apples are rich in fibre, antioxidants, and hence safeguard the lungs from oxidative damage. “Apples also contain an antioxidant called quercetin, which can boost immunity. Moreover, apple is loaded with fiber and can improve gut health. Additionally, apples can help to bulk up the stool, regulate one’s bowel movements and allow one to stay fuller for a longer time, helping maintain an optimum weight,” said Dr Patel.
Why have gut-friendly foods?
According to Goyal, having a healthy gut microbiota is essential for the overall health of an individual. “A healthy gut helps to digest the food better, maintain the body’s immune system, gives protection from pathogenic diseases, and helps in the synthesis of vitamins such as vitamin B12, thiamine, riboflavin and Vitamin K. Eating foods that provide a balance of healthy bacteria in the gut is important as various factors disrupt this balance, such as antibiotic treatment, diarrhoea,” she shared.
So, what should be kept in mind when having apples?
One must keep in mind that apple seeds contain a harmful substance called amygladin that gets converted into cyanide on ingestion. “Having cyanide is harmful and poisonous. But having the core of just one apple is not as harmful; eating many can be,” warned Goyal.
According to Goyal, caution should be exercised while having the cores of fruit. “Also, note that having the core will not improve gut health instantly. So, rather than focusing on apple and changing the way you eat it, you can try having other gut-friendly foods such as curd, yoghurt etc. But still if you are wanting to consume whole apple along with the core, bite it from bottom to top,” Goyal said.
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FAQs
But is there any truth to this claim? “Yes, various gut-friendly bacteria reside in the apple, and most of them in the core. As such, eating the core after removing the seeds provides ten times more healthy bacteria than eating the flesh alone,” Garima Goyal, a registered dietitian, told indianexpress.com.
What is the saying about eating an apple? ›
The first recorded reference of the proverb, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, first appeared in the 1866 in what is now modern-day Wales, in an area known as Pembrokeshire. Back then, it looked a bit different: Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.
What is the slogan for eat an apple a day? ›
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is a common English-language proverb that appeared in the 19th century, advocating for the consumption of apples, and by extension, "if one eats healthful foods, one will remain in good health and will not need to see the doctor often."
Is there a proper way to eat an apple? ›
Eat the apple whole.
It's common to eat right down to the hard, plastic-like core of the apple, with its small clutch of seeds, and then discard it. Contrary to popular belief, the "core" of apples are perfectly edible though it may be uncomfortable to eat and many people avoid eating it.
What happens if I eat an apple every day? ›
After all, an apple a day is a healthier way. Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Research says apples may also help you lose weight while improving your gut and brain health. Did you know apples are the most widely consumed fruit globally?
What is the famous saying about apple? ›
Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.
What did God say about eating the apple? ›
but God did say, `You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die. '" "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
What is apple's famous slogan? ›
“Think Different.” Apple has one of the most famous slogans of the twenty-first century: "Think Different." In a television ad from 1997, the concept was initially presented.
What is the saying about an apple a day? ›
The aphorism, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” originated in Wales, first appearing in a publication in 1866 in a different rhyming format: “Eat an apple on going to bed and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”1 The saying reappeared in 1913 in its current form.
Is it true that An apple a day keeps the doctor away? ›
So, eating an apple a day does not keep the doctor at bay. In the research, there wasn't a statistically significant difference in the frequency of medical visits for those who regularly ate apples. An apple a day did, however, keep the pharmacist at bay, according to the research.
Although 1 medium apple contains only 95 calories, it is high in polyphenols (with antioxidant properties). This antioxidant is also found in the skin of the apple. Therefore, the question "should you eat apple peels?" then the answer is yes.
Should you wet an apple before eating it? ›
You can brush off visible dirt before you store apples, but it doesn't make sense to wash them until you're ready to eat or cook with them. Cleaning apples with water can actually make them rot and decay faster—so store them as is until you're ready to take a bite or use them in apple recipes.
What is the healthiest way to eat an apple? ›
You get the most health benefits of apples when you eat them whole, raw and unpeeled. Juice, cider and applesauce aren't as healthy because cooking and processing apples remove valuable nutrients.
Is 2 apples a day too much? ›
Eating two apples a day is good for heart health. You can eat any kind of apple, as long as you eat the peel. Apple peels contain many antioxidants that help fight cancer. Researchers suggest that it is best to get antioxidants from fruits and vegetables rather than from dietary supplements.
Which apple is healthiest? ›
Red Delicious apples contain more anthocyanidins that provide their color and powerful antioxidants. They also have more calcium than other apples. Not only do they taste sweet, but they also encourage healthy weight loss and balance out the bacteria in your colon.
Can I eat 5 apples a day? ›
On an average, a person can have one to two apples in a day. If you are having more than that, you can possibly experience some dangerous and uncomfortable side effects.
What is eating the apple a metaphor for? ›
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. As a metaphor outside of the Abrahamic religions, the phrase typically refers to any indulgence or pleasure that is considered illegal or immoral.
What does eating an apple symbolize? ›
The unnamed fruit of Eden thus became an apple under the influence of the story of the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides. As a result, the apple became a symbol for knowledge, immortality, temptation, the fall of man and sin.
What is the proverb of eating an apple going to bed? ›
The aphorism, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” originated in Wales, first appearing in a publication in 1866 in a different rhyming format: “Eat an apple on going to bed and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”1 The saying reappeared in 1913 in its current form.
What is the apple bite quote? ›
You only get one bite at this apple called life. One chance to do everything you'll ever do in your lifetime. For all the great adventures you want to experience in life, time is running out. You never know when the last grain of sand will fall through the middle of your own hourglass.
