An apple a day....

Apples have been a hot topic of research recently and the old saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' is ringing more and more true as the multiple benefits of apples are unveiled.

Apples are a rich source of phytochemicals, natural chemicals with disease protective qualities.  'Phenols' appear to be the key beneficial phytochemical present in apples and have key immune modulating elements.  An analysis of individual foods found that intake of apples was inversely associated with hayfever, asthma and allergy.  It appears that the more apples you eat, the better equiped your immune system is to handle antigen exposure.

It is not only the phenols in apples that are beneficial, the soluble fibre in apples is resistant to digestion but it is fermented by gut bacteria to generate short chain fatty acids, the key one is called butyrate and this appears to have the greatest potential role in immunity by reducing inflammation in the gut. It may help reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases and bowel cancer.

The best way to get your apple intake up is to make tasty stewed apples, this recipe should last you two days and is quick to prepare:

6 apples
half a cup of sultanas
half a cup of water
2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Wash, chop and core the apples, place them in a saucepan with the water, sultanas and cinnamon, cook for 15 minutes in the water until the apples have softened

You can turn the stewed apples into a breakfast by adding a big spoon of natural yoghurt and some chopped brazil nuts.

Need any other appley ideas?? Get in touch with City Life Nutrition.