Apples Make Healthy Digestive Tract

YOU may have heard a wise sentence stating that the consumption of an apple a day keep the doctor away. However, is there any scientific evidence behind it?

Microbiologists from the University of Denmark's National Food Institute reveals that the content of pectin in apples is the key to healthy fruit on this one. Pectin increases levels of good bacteria in the digestive system.

The researchers fed rats a diet with whole apple or apple-based products, such as apple juice or fruit soup thick. Furthermore, researchers measured the amount of good bacteria in the gut mice. Good bacteria is a type of bacteria that is beneficial to the digestive tract health and can reduce the risk of some diseases.

"The mice that ate a lot of pectin experiencing increasing the number of bacteria that work to improve gut health," says researcher Andrea Wilcks, as quoted HealthDay site. Pectin, bright Wilcks, is a component of fiber contained in the apple.

If apples are consumed regularly and in a long time, continued Wilcks, these bacteria will help to produce short-chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH. In this case, the ideal pH is very useful in balancing the microorganisms. In addition, bacteria also produce chemicals butyrate. "Butyrate is an important fuel for the cells in the intestinal wall."

However, in a study published in the journal BMC Microbiology, the researchers also emphasized the need for further study to see the same effect in humans