Apple Fruit: Facts, Types and Consumption Risks

Apple fruit is one of the most loved and popular fruits among health-conscious people who fully believe that “health is wealth.”

Apple is delicious and crisp. This delicious fruit contains a wealth of phytonutrients, which are actually necessary for overall wellness and good health.

Apples have proven antioxidants that have health-promoting and disease-prevention capabilities.

The scientific name of the apple is Malus domestica. Apples are harvested on a medium-sized tree. It is part of the Rosaceae family.

The mineral-rich mountain ranges of Kazakhstan are where the wild apple tree is said to have first appeared.

The Shape of the Apple Fruit

Apples are shaped like pears or ovals. Depending on the cultivar type, its outer peel has a variety of shades and colours.

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Internally, its crisp, juicy pulp is off-white to cream in colour. And it tastes a little acidic and somewhat sweet. Its seeds are inedible because of their bitter taste.

In the United States and around the world, there are hundreds of different apples kinds produced for eating, baking, and cooking. However, compared to dessert apples, cooking apples are often bigger, crispier, and tarter.

Types of Apple Fruits

Apples come in a wide range of kinds, and there are numerous ways to eat them. Several well-liked apple types are:

McIntosh: This is a juicy, red apple with tender, white flesh and a tart flavour.
Red delicious: This is a crisp and juicy red apple.
Granny Smith: This is a green apple with crisp, greenish flesh and a strong flavour.
Fuji: This is a yellow and red apple with firm and sweet flesh.
Golden delicious: This is a yellow apple with a delicate and sweet flavour.

Benefits of Apple Fruit for Health

Apples are known for their mouthwatering crisp and amazing array of phytonutrients and antioxidants.

According to studies, its constituent parts are necessary for the best possible development, growth, and overall health.

Also, apples are low in calories, with just 50 calories per 100 g of fresh fruit slices. However, neither cholesterol nor saturated fats are present in them. But then, the fruit is a good source of dietary fibre. It aids in preventing the stomach from absorbing dietary LDL or bad cholesterol.

Additionally, the fibre protects the colon mucous membrane against hazardous substances by adhering to compounds that cause cancer in the colon.

The antioxidant phytonutrients flavonoids and polyphenols are abundant in apples. 100 g of apple fruit has total measured antioxidant strength (ORAC value) of 5900 TE.

Also, apples contain significant amounts of procyanidin B2, quercetin, and epicatechin, among other flavonoids.

They also contain a high amount of tartaric acid, which gives them a tart flavour. Together, these substances aid in the body’s defence against the damaging effects of free radicals.

Why Apple Fruit is Important for Human Body?

The apple fruit is a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene. A potent natural antioxidant is vitamin C. Vitamin C-rich meals aid in the body’s development of resistance to infectious agents. And it aids in the removal of damaging, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

Additionally, apples are a great source of B-complex vitamins like pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), thiamin, and riboflavin. These vitamins work as co-factors for enzymes in the body’s numerous synthetic processes, including metabolism.

Additionally, apples contain trace amounts of the minerals calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Potassium is a crucial part of physiological fluids and cells. It helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate and counteracts the negative effects of salt.

How to Store Apple

All throughout the season, fresh apples are easily found in supermarkets. If you want to buy apples, then buy those that are flavorful, firm-textured, bright, and fresh.

Avoid those with indentations on their surface as these could point to pulp that is speckled underneath.

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Fresh apples can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and at room temperature for a few days. Before using them, wash them under cold, clean running water.

Tips for Preparation and Serving Apples

Firstly, to get rid of any surface dust or insecticide/fungicide sprays, carefully wash apples under running water.

Cut the fruit in half after using a paring knife to remove the fruit’s stem end. Eliminate the tiny, bitter seeds in the centre. Cut the fruit into the desired slices or cubes.

However, if you want to reap the most health advantages, eat the apple fruit “as it is” and include the peel.

After being exposed to air, sliced apples develop an enzymatic brownish hue due to the iron’s transformation from ferrous oxide to ferric oxide.

Slices should be rinsed in water mixed with a few drops of fresh lemon if you must serve them that way.

Apple juice, whether clear or cloudy, is a healthful alternative to soda with supper. Fruit jam, pies, and fruit salads can all be made with apple fruit.

Recipes and Dietary Advice

Apples can be consumed in a variety of ways besides raw, such as:

Applesauce.
Chopped salads.
Entire baking.
Cakes.
Pies.
Pastries.
Juices.
Dry slices.
Smoothies.
Curries and chutneys

Although tastes differ, many people favour sour, acidic apples when making applesauce or apple pie. And this is instead of using sugar, consider cooking with sweet and tart apples together or balancing the harshness with spices.

Apple Fruits Risks and Things to Consider

Most people are unlikely to experience major negative effects from eating an apple. However certain people may need to exercise caution.

A few possible dangers of eating apples are listed below.

Toxins: Cyanide is present in apple seeds. Taking in apple seed is probably safe. However, swallowing apple seeds in large quantities could be harmful.

Allergies: After eating apples, some people may experience an allergic reaction. Anyone who suffers from hives, edoema, or breathing issues needs to contact a doctor right once. These symptoms could become life-threatening if they develop into anaphylaxis.

Teeth: It was widely believed that eating an apple might help remove plaque. Studies, however, have not discovered conclusive proof of this. Regular tooth brushing is more likely to have this result.

Additionally, the acidic nature of apples may aid in the formation of plaque. Thus, after eating an apple, it is advised that people clean their teeth or rinse their mouths with water.

Choking: Small toddlers and elderly people who have trouble swallowing could choke on raw apple slices. It is preferable to consume unsweetened applesauce or other types of cooked apples.

In summary, apple fruit needs to be closely monitored and attended to in order to yield quality. And this is because; apple fruit is one of the severely pesticide-contaminated produce, according to environmental working group reports.

Pesticides containing organophosphorus and organochlorides, such as Permethrin and DDT, are most frequently discovered in apples.

Therefore, it is advised to properly wash the apple fruit before use. Buy apples with an organic certification, if you can.