You know the mantra, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But have you heard that eating some apple peel every day could help keep cancer away?
Apples are packed full of health. This tangy fruit contains lots of important nutrients. Now, a recent study has shown that even the peel, part of the apple that many people actually discard, could pack a powerful punch. We’re talking the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, or even kill them.
It seems that the Red Delicious apple could be extra potent because of its deep red skin. But let’s rewind a bit. Cornell University researchers wanted to see if apple skin contained any special substances; and if it did, what exactly the substances could do, in terms of our health. So the research team used a special type of analysis on the peel of Red Delicious apples. They found 13 different “triterpenoids,” a compound found in different plants. They also identified the individual chemical structure of each triterpenoid.
After identifying these compounds, the researchers put them to the test against cancer cells in lab tests. It was found that the apple peel compounds could actually stop the growth of colon cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer. These are lab tests only, so it remains to be seen if the effects would be as powerful in actual human subjects. Nevertheless, the anti-cancer power of these substances was very notable.
Earlier lab and animal studies have revealed that the apple could help fend off cancer and reduce the size and number of breast tumors. Now this research shows that it could actually be the apple peel and not the tasty flesh that’s doing the bulk of the grunt work. However, let’s not knock the inside of the apple — it has been proven to contain “phytochemicals” that also seem to have cancer-fighting abilities.
You should also be aware that the peel and flesh of the apple are good sources of fiber. Getting the right amount of fiber is essential for your bowel health, and has been linked to reduced heart disease risk. The flesh also contains fructose, which has been shown to have the potential to help stave off prostate cancer. So, all of this means that you should add more apples to your diet, in addition to a plethora of other healthy foods. Definitely try to include the Red Delicious variety, as the color of its skin could make it particularly healthy. And here’s the most important tip to take from this news: DON”T THROW THE PEEL AWAY!