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| Apple |
The apple, though not
native to Nigeria is one of the popular fruits especially among the urban
dwellers. It is a fleshy fruit, with
tough skin, ranging in colour from greenish yellow to red. The apple is considered “protective” and most
wholesome food. Apart from its energy
value, it plays an important role in the normal development of metabolic
functions in the body. No wonder the
popular saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away’.
The apple is believed to be native to
Eastern Europe and Western Asia though it is being cultivated in many other
parts of the globe today. The Holy Bible
refers to the apple severally in glowing terms.
King Solomon captures the apple romantically thus: Like an apple
tree among the trees of the forest, so is my dearest compared to other men. I
love to sit in its shadow, and its fruit is sweet to my taste (Songs of Solomon
2:3 GNB). The Scandinavians call it the “Food of Gods”
and believed it possessed medicinal properties to regenerate both mind and
body. The expression “apple of my eyes”
captures the importance of apple amongst all fruits. It is not surprising therefore, that some
people could not do without “apples”.
Food Value
The apple is highly nutritious and contains abundant
minerals and vitamins. Values per 100gms
of edible portion are as detailed below:
Food
|
Value (%)
|
Minerals/Vitamins
|
Value
|
Moisture
|
84.6
|
Calcium
|
10mg
|
Protein
|
0.2
|
Phosphorous
|
14mg
|
Fat
|
0.5
|
Iron
|
1mg
|
Mineral
|
0.3
|
Vitamin A
|
40IU
|
Fibre
|
1.0
|
Contains small amounts of Vitamin E,
H, B Complex
|
|
Carbohydrates
|
13.4
|
Caloric Value
|
59
|
Source: Dr. S. J. Singh, FOODS THAT HEAL – Natural
Way to Good Health
The skin of the apple should not be discarded when
taking it in raw form as the skin and the flesh just below it contains more
vitamin C than the inner flesh. The
vitamin content decreases gradually towards the centre of the fruit. The skin also contains five times more
vitamin A than the flesh.
Natural
Benefits and Curative Properties
Apples are invaluable in the maintenance of good
health and treatment of many ailments.
The active medicinal ingredient of apple is pectin, a natural therapeutic
ingredient found in the inner portion of the rind - the natural outer covering
of food (usually removed before eating) and the pulp. Pectin aids in detoxification by supplying
the substances. It also helps to prevent
decomposition of protein matter in the alimentary canal. The malic acid (also found in wine) contained
in the apple is beneficial to the bowels, liver and brain. Some of the ailments that can be managed by
apple are:
Anaemia
Apples, being rich in iron, arsenic and phosphorous
are highly beneficial in the treatment of anaemia. It will be particularly useful in the form of
freshly prepared apple juice. It may be
taken in quantities of 1kg daily with beneficial results. The best time to take the juice is half an
hour before meals and just before retiring to bed.
Constipation
and Diarrhoea
Raw apples are good for constipation. Taking at least two apples a day helps in
proper evacuation of bowels. Cooked or
baked apples are good for diarrhoea.
Dysentery
Apples have been found to be useful in acute and
chronic dysentery among children. Ripe
and sweet apples should be crushed into pulp and given to the child several
times a day, from one to four tablespoonfuls, according to age in this
disorder. The American Medical
Association has also advocated the use of apples as therapeutic agent in
dysentery.
Stomach
Disorder
A natural “apple medicine” for the disturbed stomach
is prepared by slicing whole apple and gently pounding it until it becomes
slightly mashed. It may be sprinkled
with cinnamon or honey. The entire
mashed apple may be eaten except for the stem and seeds. It should be chewed thoroughly before
swallowing. This preparation should be
taken several times between meals for best results.
According to Carlson Wade in his book Health Secrets from the Orients,
shredded apple, mixed with a tablespoonful of honey and sprinkled with sesame
seeds, constitute an excellent stomach tonic and an appetizer. It should be taken before meals. It stimulates sluggish digestive juices and
facilitates assimilation of food for good health.
Headache
Apples are very useful in the treatment of all types
of headaches. A ripe apple, after
removing the upper rind and the inner hard portion should be taken with a
little salt every morning on empty stomach in cases of headache. It should be continued for about a week.
Heart
Disease
Apples are reach in potassium and phosphorous but
low in sodium. From ancient times, apple
with honey is considered a very effective remedy for functional disorders of
heart. Recent studies by Dr. Elizabeth
Barret-Cannor of California University have revealed that people who consume
plenty of potassium through food items are likely to escape heart attacks. Apples, as good source of potassium, help in
the alleviation of heart disease.
High Blood
Pressure
The apple diet has a rapid and considerable diuretic
effect causing increased secretion of urine and thus bringing down blood
pressure to normal. It also relieves the
kidney by reducing the supply of sodium chloride to a minimum. In addition, it lowers the sodium level in
the tissues because of the high level of potassium in apples.
Rheumatic
Conditions
Apples are regarded as excellent food medicine for
gout, arthritis and rheumatism especially when these diseases are caused by
uric acid poisoning. The malic acid
contain in them is believed to neutralize the uric acid and afford relief to
the sufferers. Apples, boiled to a
jelly, make a very good liniment for rheumatic pains. They should be rubbed freely on the affected
area.
Dry Cough
Sweet apples are valuable in dry cough. About 250grams of sweet apple should be taken
daily for a week or thereabout to obtain relief.
Eye Disorder
Both as a beverage as well as an eye wash, the apple
peel water is an excellent medicine. According
to Eric F. W. Powell, in his book, Health
from the Kitchen, this beverage is prepared by putting the peelings in a
pan, well covered with water. The water
should be brought to a boiling point and allowed to simmer gently for a few
minutes. The water should then be
strained off and some honey be added to it.
The overripe apples are useful as a poultice (a
medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is
spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve
circulation etc.) for sore eyes. The
pulp is applied over the closed eyes and is held in position with a
bandage. It is allowed to remain there
for one or two hours.
Kidney
stones
The ripe fresh fruit of apple is valuable in
managing kidney stones.
Dental
Disorders
Regular consumption of apples can prevent tooth
decay as they possess mouth cleansing property.
In his book, Dental Survey,
Dr. T. T. Hanks says “Apples have mouth cleansing property that no other fruit
possesses, and taken after meals, they have the same effect as toothbrush in
cleansing the teeth, with added advantage that the acid content, aside from its
nutritive value, is of assistance in promoting the flow of saliva in the mouth,
which is also beneficial to the teeth”.
The acid of the apple also exerts an antiseptic influence upon the germs
present in the mouth and teeth when it is thoroughly chewed.
Promotes
Vigour and Vitality
The apple is considered the best fruit to tone up a
weak and run-down condition of the human system. It removes all deficiencies of vital organ
and makes the body stout and strong.
Regular consumption of apples with milk promotes health and youthfulness
and helps build healthy and bright skin.
It has a calming and relaxing effect and is especially beneficial to
sedentary workers
Boost Immune System
Red apples
contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your
immune system, especially when you're stressed out.
Curb Cancer
Scientists from the American Association for Cancer
Research, among others, agree that the consumption of flavonol-rich apples could help
reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 23 per cent.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified several
compounds—triterpenoids—in apple peel that have potent anti-growth activities
against cancer cells in the liver, colon and breast. Their earlier research
found that extracts from whole apples can reduce the number and size of mammary
tumours in rats. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. has
recommended a high fibre intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Precautions
Apples should not be taken on an empty stomach as it
may lead to indigestion. Apples are
often sprayed with poisonous chemicals to prevent them from decay, hence should
be washed and cleaned thoroughly before consumption.
