apple

Apple (Malus pumila Mill.): It is a deciduous tree. Trees can usually grow up to 15 meters tall, but cultivated trees are generally only about 3-5 meters tall. The trunk is gray-brown and the bark is somewhat detached. The flowering period of apple trees depends on the climate of each region, but it is generally concentrated in April and May. Apple is a cross-pollinated plant, and most varieties cannot produce fruit through self-pollination.

Generally, apples will begin to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting. The fruit is usually red, but it depends on the variety. Apple tree fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins and is one of the most commonly consumed fruits. The length of the fruit growth period is generally 65-87 days for early-maturing varieties, 90-133 days for mid-maturing varieties, and 137-168 days for late-maturing varieties. Under normal circumstances, apples can have a lifespan of 15-50 years after planting.

Nutritional value of apples

1. Apples contain more potassium, which can combine with excess sodium salt in the human body and excrete it out of the body.

2. Apples are rich in organic acids, which can stimulate gastrointestinal motility and promote smooth bowel movements.

3. Apples contain pectin, which is a water-soluble dietary fiber that can reduce the number of bad bacteria in the intestines and help the reproduction of beneficial bacteria, thereby improving the bacterial flora in the intestines.

4. Vitamin C in apples is the protector of the cardiovascular system and a healthy element for heart patients.

5. Apples are rich in magnesium, which can make the skin rosy, shiny and elastic.

6. The fiber, pectin, antioxidants, etc. in apples can lower the bad cholesterol in the body and increase the good cholesterol content, so eating one or two apples a day can protect the heart.

7. Apples are rich in tannic acid, malic acid, organic acid, pectin and cellulose, which have astringent effects. The pectin and cellulose in them can absorb bacteria and toxins, so they can help the intestines and stop diarrhea.

The efficacy and function of apple

1. Lowers Cholesterol

It can keep blood sugar stable and effectively lower cholesterol.

2. Anti-cancer

Reduce the risk of lung cancer, prevent lead poisoning, and proanthocyanidins can prevent colon cancer.

3. Blood vessel cleaning agent

Improve the respiratory system and lung function, protect the lungs from pollution and smoke.

4. Promote gastrointestinal motility

Assist the human body to excrete waste smoothly and reduce the harm of harmful substances to the skin.

5. Maintain acid-base balance

Apples are alkaline foods. Eating apples can quickly neutralize excess acidic substances in the body (including the acid produced by exercise (sports food) and acidic metabolites produced in the body by acidic foods such as fish, meat, and eggs), thereby enhancing physical strength and disease resistance.

6. Weight Loss

Apples can increase your feeling of fullness. Eating them before meals can reduce your food intake and achieve the goal of losing weight.

Medicinal Value of Apple

Apples are rich in sugars, acids, aromatic alcohols and pectin, and contain vitamins B, C, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and other nutrients. Apples were recorded as early as the Tang Dynasty. Apples not only benefit the heart and spleen, but also produce fluid and quench thirst. They also have the functions of moistening the lungs and pleasing the heart, producing fluid and appetizing, and sobering up. Apples taste sweet and sour and are cool in nature. Modern medical research has shown that eating more apples is beneficial for patients with severe edema to supplement potassium and reduce side effects. Eating more apples during pregnancy can not only supplement vitamins and other nutrients, but also regulate the balance of water, salt and electrolytes to prevent acidosis caused by frequent vomiting. Apple pectin is a soluble fiber that not only promotes cholesterol metabolism and effectively lowers cholesterol levels, but also promotes fat excretion from the body. The French conducted an experiment in which a group of healthy middle-aged men and women ate two or three apples a day. After a month, they measured their cholesterol levels and found that 80% of them had reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, also known as bad cholesterol) in their blood; at the same time, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, or good cholesterol) increased. Apples are good for cardiovascular health. The trace element potassium contained in apples can dilate blood vessels, which is beneficial for patients with hypertension. Zinc is also necessary for the human body. When it is deficient, it will cause blood sugar metabolism disorders and decreased sexual function.

Side effects and contraindications of eating apples

1. It is especially suitable for patients with chronic gastritis, indigestion, qi stagnation, constipation, chronic diarrhea, neurological colitis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity, cancer patients, anemia and vitamin deficiency. Pregnant mothers can reduce pregnancy reactions by eating an apple every day.

2. Patients with nephritis and diabetes should not eat too much.

How to eat apples

1. You can just wash the apple and eat it. This is a common way to eat apples. Eating apples this way is very good for the body, especially the apple peel. Many people don't like to eat apple peels, but they don't know that all the nutrients are in them. Although the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in recent years has made people feel very scared, as long as we do a good job of disinfection and washing, there is no problem at all.

2. Apples can also be made into salads. Fruit salads are loved by many people, and apple salads are also a favorite. Peel the apples and cut them into small pieces, then add butter. If you add other fruits and mix them together, the mixed fruit salad will be more delicious.

3. Apples can also be squeezed into juice. Apples are sweet and sour, and the juice is delicious. Put fresh apples into the juicer and squeeze out fresh juice. You can squeeze out the essence of the apples, which is sweet and sour. If you put it in the refrigerator, it will be even better.

How to eat apples

4. Apples can also be eaten cold. Maybe you don't know this statement. Put the apples in the refrigerator to cool, then peel them, cut them into strips, and mix them with sugar. It is sour and sweet and is a good summer delicacy.