WHY COAT APPLE FRUITS..

Above: Google pic

We're told that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and am sure the saying does not come without any basis.  Apple is one of my favourite fruits. I've always been fascinated by the various types and also colours of these beautiful fruit.  I love the crunchy and sweet taste especially when they are fresh. I also love that this fruit is versatile and I would normally use it in the preparation of fruit jam, fruit salad or juice.

Reading about the numerous health benefits of apples, it might be good to be aware of how there are stored,  packed and delivered from the farm. It is common knowledge that apples are coated with wax.   There are several reasons for coating apples. The main reasons are either for preservation, aesthetic (appearance) or the obvious one of replacing the natural wax.

Yours Truly and friends going wild over wild apples, New Zealand :)

 Pic above: Apple tree from a country up north courtesy of a friend.

 Apple farm, NSW, Australia

Apple Farm in Bilpin, NSW, Australia

The farmer assured me that eating the apples direct from the tree was safe ... no pesticides..  :)

The apples, naturally have a natural wax coating on their surface. This natural wax coating helps to protect the apple fruit from shriveling and weight loss. However, prior to packaging of the apple fruits, they are washed by scrubbing the surface to remove dirt and chemical residues (if they are not organic). This scrubbing removes approximately 50% of the natural wax coating.

To replace the natural wax coating, processors apply other recommended waxes on the surface of apples. The waxes applied on apples can either be animal wax, vegetable wax or mineral and synthetic wax. After applying wax, the fruits assumes glossy and firm appearance which is considered as an important quality in apples.

The distributors and sellers of apples can apply wax to improve appearance and increase visual freshness. This is very common practice especially in supermarkets.

The most common wax used on apples is a vegetable wax called canauba wax or shellac.


Ways of Cleaning Waxed Apples

Obviously, it is a good practice to clean apples before eating.   I would normally clean with lukewarm water. Just clean them thoroughly to remove any surface wax. This would also help remove any dirt and chemical residues on the surface.

It is not advisable to use detergents even food grade types on porous fruits like apples. Vinegar (acetic acid) can also do. Use a paper towel with a bit of vinegar to wipe the fruit before washing. Using vinegar wipes away the wax.

The other obvious way to ensure you do not consume the wax on the surface of apples is to remove the entire peel . This can be done by using either a fruit peeler or a knife. This comes at a cost since many people like the tartness and crispiness of the peel and also it will remove most of the goodness of the apple.

HAVE A BANANA A DAY...

Apart from seasonal fruits, I would normally buy papaya and more often than not at least 2 types of bananas.  Why do I like bananas so much?   No, not because of that, just that they are cheap and versatile. One can just eat them, make smoothies or even make a banana cake or fritters.  Not only delicious, it is also packed with goodness essential to good health.

I wish to share some info on its health benefits here.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.


But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PRE MENSTRUAL SYNDROM (PMS)

Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER:

I read that 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION:

High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS:

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN:

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS:

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES:

Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS:

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:

Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time.  :D

Source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Guiding-Light