Apples are the most consumed fruit in the world. They are characterized by their high content of fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and malic acid that benefit health and protect us from diseases.
Photo: Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash / Unsplash
Is there a fruit more generous than apples? Probably not. In a way, it is no coincidence that they are considered one of the foods with the greatest nutritional and medicinal potential of all time. Not in vain, Every October 21, National Apples Day is celebrated with great pride, the perfect pretext to welcome autumn and pay tribute to one of the most extraordinary fruits that nature has put within our reach.
Studies have shown that the earliest known wild apple trees they arose in regions of central Asia between 10 and 20 million years ago. Although initially their flavor leaned towards acid, apple trees would evolve to produce sweeter fruits and it was this development that made them a more attractive food. This facilitated its spread throughout Europe in the seventeenth century BC. Some historians believe that it was during this time that the Roman populus cultivated and developed the apple into the largest, sweetest, and most edible fruit with which we are familiar today.
The truth is that apples are delicious, immensely versatile, and simply one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world. There is a wide variety of apples that differ in taste, color and sizeWhat is a fact is that each apple represents a complex nutritional formula, they are rich in vitamins, minerals, powerful antioxidants, such as tannins and flavonoids, and of course a great source of fiber. Its therapeutic benefits are immense: they improve digestion, intestinal health, strengthen the immune system, promote good mental health and are a great ally in weight loss. Also, there are some incredibly interesting facts about apples, Here are 8 fun facts that you just can’t miss.
1. Apples make up half of the world’s fruit tree production
Deciduous trees are plants that bear fruit or leaves when they reach maturity. Half of all deciduous fruit trees used for fruit production are apple trees, and the countries that produce most of these trees are China, the United States, Poland, Italy and Turkey.
2. More than 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States
The “crab” apple variety is the only type of apple that is native to North America, yet thousands of apple varieties are grown in the United States. Just to mention some of the most popular options grown in the US and that are also exported: Red Delicious, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, McIntosh, Rome, Granny Smith and Gala.
3. Apples are a great source of malic acid
There are many products that are derived from apples: juice, pulp and the famous apple cider vinegar, are products that are characterized by their high content of malic acid. It is a compound that is found naturally in many foods of an acidic or sour nature (especially in fruits and vegetables) and that confers them great medicinal benefits. It is known as a great ally to combat chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gallstones, pain in muscles and tissues (tendons and ligaments). In addition, it is a very powerful substance to detoxify the body (including metals such as aluminum and lead).
4. The famous Apple Pie is not of American origin
Probably one of the most emblematic dishes in the United States is the apple pie, however despite being a most traditional element: It is a dessert that is actually European. There are references in which it is confirmed that the first apple pie recipe originated in England hundreds of years ago. Also, the vast majority of apple varieties are not native to North America.
5. Apples are one of the richest foods in fiber
A medium-sized apple contains nearly twice as much fiber as a serving of a fiber supplement. Based on this, they have positioned themselves on the list of the foods richest in fiber, which in addition to its rich composition in essential nutrients also benefits health in many other aspects. Being rich in pectin They are the best ally for digestive, intestinal, and immune health and a great ally in weight loss. They are also delicious and crunchy!
6. A bushel of apples weighs 42 pounds.
For those who are not so clear, a bushel is an agrarian measure that was used in some parts of Spain before the metric system was mandatory. It could refer to a measure of capacity or a measure of surface and at some point it was widely used to weigh fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. A bushel of apples weighs approximately 42 pounds of apples, which is equivalent to 19.05 kg of apples. This amount translates into: 21 cakes, 3 gallons of cider and 20 quarts of applesauce.
7. Apples are 25% air
You probably haven’t paid that much attention, but apples have the peculiarity of floating on water and the reason is that about 25% of its volume is actually air. In addition, about 80% of their composition is water, therefore they are an incredibly hydrating and light fruit.
8. Apple trees take years to produce fruit.
Depending on the planting system used, a full-size apple tree can reach full production in as little as four years or as long as 10 years. Apple trees mature very slowly, it is worth mentioning that factors such as exposure to sunlight and the type of fertilizer used can also affect the growth of these trees. A tree that receives plenty of sunlight, water, and good nutrition will grow at a faster rate than a private tree.
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Source-eldiariony.com