Apples Can Improve Digestion & Prevent Disease, Study Finds

Posted on January 20, 2010 in Health & Medicine, Recent Studies, Women's Health

An apple a day may really keep the doctor away, a new Danish study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Denmark’s National Food Institute tested the well-known health adage and found apples contain pectin, a chemical compound that can increase levels of good bacteria in the body’s digestive system, producing better digestion and lower risks of some diseases.

The study findings were published online Jan. 20 in the journal BMC Microbiology.

“In our study we found that rats eating a diet high in pectin, a component of dietary fiber in apples, had increased amounts of certain bacteria that may improve intestinal health,” study co-researcher Andrea Wilcks said in a news release from the journal’s publisher. “It seems that when apples are eaten regularly and over a prolonged period of time, these bacteria help produce short-chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH conditions for ensuring a beneficial balance of microorganisms. They also produce a chemical called butyrate, which is an important fuel for the cells of the intestinal wall.”

While the study is an encouraging sign of the health benefits of eating apples, it may be too soon to rush out the farmers market and buy a bunch. The study was conducted on laboratory rats and need to be further investigated and refined to apply the findings to humans, the researchers said.