- BRIEF HISTORY
The center of diversity for the Malus genus is in Eastern Turkey. Apples may have been one of the earliest plants to be cultivated, with their fruits improved through thousands of years of selection. Alexander the Great is credited with discovering dwarf apple trees in Asia Minor around 300 BC. Winter apples, which are harvested in late autumn and stored at slightly above freezing temperatures, have been a significant food source in Asia and Europe for thousands of years, as well as in Argentina and the United States since the arrival of Europeans (source: https://p2k.stekom.ac.id/ensiklopedia/Apel).
The apple (Malus domestica) is an annual fruit tree originating from Western Asia with a subtropical climate. Apple trees can grow in Indonesia after adapting to the tropical climate (Baskara, 2010). Apple cultivation in Indonesia began in 1934 and has rapidly expanded since the 1960s. Apples are a beloved fruit among the Indonesian population. According to the Central Statistics Agency, the average per capita apple consumption in Indonesia was 1.1 kg per year in 2006. The benefits of apples (Malus domestica) include lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, reducing blood pressure, acting as an anti-cancer agent, and aiding in weight loss programs (Subagyo, 2010).
- FRUIT DESCRIPTION
Botanical classification of the apple:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta/Tracheophyta
- Subdivision: Spermatophytes
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Rosales
- Family: Rosaceae
- Subfamily: Maloideae or Spiraeoidaea
- Tribe: Maleae
- Genus: Malus
- Species: M. Domestica
Description:
As a healthy fruit, apples are rich in nutritional content, with vitamins being the most dominant. Apples contain various vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, and vitamin C. Additionally, apples contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc. They also provide dietary fiber, making them suitable for people on a diet. Fiber helps prevent hunger from setting in too quickly, binds to harmful fats and cholesterol in the body, and aids in their elimination. Apples also contain other compounds like tannins, which freshen the mouth; boron, which helps maintain estrogen levels in women; flavonoids, which reduce the risk of cancer; D-glucaric acid, which can lower cholesterol levels; tartaric acid, which promotes digestive health and kills harmful bacteria in the digestive tract (Agroteknologi, 2017).
Table 1
Nutritional Value of Apples per 100 grams (3.5 oz)
Source: https://p2k.stekom.ac.id/ensiklopedia/Apel
- BENEFITS OF APPLES
Apples are rich in nutrients, offering numerous health benefits. Some of the advantages of consuming apples include:
a. Fighting Alzheimer’s: Apples contain quercetin, an active antioxidant that can protect brain cells from age-related damage, potentially helping to preserve cognitive function as individuals age.
b. Preventing Cancer: Studies suggest that phytonutrients in apples may help protect against the risk of colon and lung cancer. Furthermore, regular apple consumption is associated with a reduced risk of breast and colorectal cancers.
c. Stabilizing Blood Sugar: Apples indirectly contribute to diabetes prevention by slowing down food digestion and glucose entry into the bloodstream. Polyphenols in apples prevent damage to beta cells and pancreatic tissue, which produce insulin, offering protection against type 2 diabetes.
d. Reducing Heart Disease and Stroke Risk: Apples contain polyphenols that help lower cholesterol levels and stabilize blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease. Flavonoid epicatechin in apples also helps maintain stable blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke.
e. Managing Asthma and Lung Health: Apples contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that regulate the immune response, helping to prevent asthma symptoms. Regular apple consumption can also improve lung health by eliminating toxins and free radicals from the lungs, thanks to its high vitamin C content.
f. Supporting Bone Health: Apples are rich in essential minerals like iron and potassium, which enhance bone strength and density. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of apples play a role in maintaining bone mass as people age.
g. Apple for Weight Loss: Apple’s soluble fiber, pectin, plays a crucial role in controlling blood sugar and fat levels. This fiber, combined with other phytonutrients, helps control blood sugar and fat, making apples an effective choice for weight management.
h. Boosting Immune System: Apples are high in vitamin C, a vital nutrient for enhancing the immune system. Regular apple consumption can help the body fight infections and diseases.
REFERENCES:
- https://ners.unair.ac.id/site/index.php/news-fkp-unair/30-lihat/2588-berbagai-manfaat-dan-khasiat-buah-apel
- https://www.alodokter.com/jarang-bertemu-dokter-berkat-manfaat-apel
- https://umsu.ac.id/artikel/manfaat-dan-kegunaan-apel/
- https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/7-penyakit-yang-dapat-diatasi-dengan-mengonsumsi-buah-apel
- https://p2k.stekom.ac.id/ensiklopedia/Apel
