A new study may have just discovered the healthiest part of an apple that may improve our gut health. The research was conducted by a team from the Graz University of Technology in Austria.
For the study, researchers examined the bacterial composition of different types of apples that are commonly consumed. The team discovered all the apples in the investigation had the same number of bacteria. However, most of the bacteria found was in the seeds and pulp of the fruit.
Through the investigation, researchers also conclude organic apples were better than those exposed to chemicals. "Freshly harvested, organically managed apples harbour a significantly more diverse, more even and distinct bacterial community, compared to conventional ones," lead author of the study Professor Gabriele Berg told a news portal.
The team also found that organic apples did not contain harmful bacteria known asEscherichia-Shigella. Instead, organic apples contained beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus in high amounts.
Previous studies claimed the skin of the apple was the best part to consume for the sake of our health. However, the new research sheds light on the importance of the flesh. The study also reveals why organic apples should be consumed more as it could help protect you against bad bacteria and provide your body with the good ones.
"The microbiome and antioxidant profiles of fresh produce may one day become standard nutritional information, displayed alongside macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to guide consumers, " Birgit Wasserman, one of the students involved in the study, told a news portal.
The study's findings were originally published in Frontiers in Microbiology.
