Washington Apples - Health History

Health and Nutrition

The History of Apples and Health

Apple’s healthy image is believed to date back to Greek myths, some as early as the New Stone Age in which apples are thought to be a token of knowledge and immortality. In one myth, Hercules achieves immortality by eating a sacred apple before submitting to his ritual slaughter. In other myths, apples are associated with the healing gods Apollo, Hercules and Dionysus.

The tradition of serving fresh fruit, particularly apples, at the end of a meal began because of the digestive qualities attributed to them by such early medical notables as Hippocrates and Galen, the latter a second-century Roman physician.

The medieval physician's bible, the Salerno medical school's Prescription for Health, taught therapeutic applications of cooking apples for disturbances of the bowels, lungs and nervous system, to mention just a few.

Apple juice was one of the earliest prescribed antidepressants.

Apples' curative powers were documented by self-proclaimed master surgeon John Gerarde in 1597. Apples were used as treatments for ailments from "a hot stomacke" and inflammations of all types, and as a beauty therapy.

100% Apple Juice vs. "Cocktails", "Beverages" or "Drinks”

Think “Apple Cocktail” means the same thing as “Apple Juice”? Think again! Be sure to select 100% apple juice, for your better health - anything less just doesn't measure up. Only 4 ounces of 100% apple juice counts as one of your daily fruit servings, getting you on your way to eating the Dietary Guidelines recommended daily 5 to 10 fruit servings. Juices that contain less than 100% apple juice will be labeled as "juice beverages", "juice cocktails" or "juice drinks." These juice imposters often have added sugars and flavours, too!

Courtesy of U.S. Apple Association.

Health Decoder!

Phytochemicals: chemical compounds found in plants, fruits, and vegetables that can act as antioxidants.
Antioxidants: chemicals that reduce or prevent oxidation, thus preventing cell and tissue damage from free radicals in the body.
Phenolic Compound: a type of phytochemical.
Flavonoids: a class of antioxidant. Apples are packed with flavonoids.
Quercetin: a type of flavonoid found in apples.
Pectin: a soluble fibre present in most fruits and vegetables.
Tannins: substance found in apple juice that helps prevent urinary tract infections and may reduce heart disease. Research also suggests tannins may help prevent periodontal or gum disease.