An apple a day can keep us away from obesity , according to a new study from the School of Food Sciences at Washington State University (USA) and collected by the journal Food Chemistry .
Many studies have confirmed the benefits of apples for our health, but this is the first time that they closely examine how bioactive compounds in apples that are not absorbed during digestion (such as polyphenols and dietary fiber) affect the bacteria in the intestine that only strengthen the immune system and help maintain our weight.
Do all apples produce this effect? According to the researchers, the effects of these bioactive compounds vary according to the different kinds of apples. Thus, Granny Smith apples (or green apple) outperform Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious or Red Delicious McIntosh varieties.
To arrive at these results, the experts analyzed the bioactive compounds of seven different varieties of apples to see how they affected the gut bacteria of a group of laboratory mice with diet-induced obesity. They found that, compared to the other apple varieties, green apples had the most beneficial effect on mice.
An imbalance in gut bacteria, determined by everything we eat each day, can cause chronic inflammation that leads to diabetes but, according to the study, restoring this balance can be remedied by consuming a green apple each day.
“We know that, in general, apples are a good source of these indigestible compounds (dietary fiber), but there are differences in the varieties. The results of this study will help consumers to discriminate between varieties of apples that can help in the fight against obesity ”, says Giuliana Noratto, leader of the research.
