All About Apples: Health Benefits, Origins and More

Our recorded history features much in the way of references to apples, there is Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, the Trojan wars and Roman history all have references to apples.

Even the Norske gods attributed their immortality to apples and of course there is the proverb from around 1866 attributed to Robert Frost, an apple a day keeps the Doctor away.

The genome of the apples we enjoy nowadays can be traced back to Kazakhstan and they are thought to have made their way to Europe via traders on the Silk Road trade route. They have been recognised throughout our history as a health promoting food and a good addition to our regular diet.

Apples are a rich source of fibre especially the skin, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K, manganese, copper; vitamin A, E, B, B2 and B6, also a rich source of polyphenols; the polyphenols and fibre are particularly rich in the skin of an apple.

An interesting result of apples when eaten prior to a meal they tend to take away the hunger pangs reducing the appetite and the tendency to overeat; this has been confirmed in various studies researching weight loss and is thought to be a result of various compounds in apples and also promote weight loss.

A study involving obese mice fed apple concentrate had lower levels of bad cholesterol LDL triglycerides than the control group.

Apples contain flavonoids which reduce the risk of strokes, promote heart health, healthy blood pressure and cholesterol balance. A study involving an apple a day showed a 28% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. It is likely that polyphenols in apples prevents tissue damage to beta cells resulting in the body producing insulin, supporting the health of those with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

There is anecdotal and research that supports the widely held belief that regular consumption of apples benefits bone health, bone density reduces the risk and severity of asthma affects, promotes brain health and may reduce various types of cancer as a result of the various health promoting compounds in apples including antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories.

In the world New Zealand is a major producer and exporter of apples globally, our climate suits the production of apples. The major growing areas are Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Waikato, Otago and Nelson. The varieties of apples grown in New Zealand are extensive and tend to be of varieties that have a long shelf life and travel well in a chilled environment.