Eat Granny Smith Apple Daily to Stay Slim: Research
An apple a day sure keeps obesity at bay, say researchers.
Researchers from the Washington State University found eating the tart green fruit also helps people stay slim by increasing the flora and fauna of healthy stomach bacteria. The non-digestible compounds like fibre and polyphenols present in the green apples do not get damaged by the stomach acids and reach the colon where they enhance the level of healthy gut bacteria. The experts observed the effects of a variety of apples including Grany Smith, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and McIntoh on laboratory mice. They also looked at animals' feces to see changes in bacterial balance.
It was noted Granny Smith apples were the best in altering the proportion of fecal bacteria in obese mice and metabolic processes that cause inflammation and feel satiated.
"We know that, in general, apples are a good source of non-digestible compounds but there are differences in varieties. Results from this study will help consumers to discriminate between apple varieties that can aid in the fight against obesity," said Giuliana Noratto, lead researcher and food scientist from the Washington State University, reports the Express.Co.UK.
The authors believe their findings will help people avoid development of metabolic disorders that lead to obesity and other related conditions.
"The non-digestible compounds in the Granny Smith apples actually changed the proportions of fecal bacteria from obese mice to be similar to that of lean mice. What determines the balance of bacteria in our colon is the food we consume," said Noratto, reports the Health Site.
More information is available online in the journal Food Chemistry.
