Fall is the perfect season to show apples some major love. Not only does a crisp one deliver a beyond-satisfying crunch, but chowing down on the fruit—especially the Granny Smith variety—may help ward off obesity-related disorders, according to a new study in Food Chemistry.
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Researchers at Washington State University analyzed the non-digestible compounds in seven types of apples: Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, McIntosh, and Red Delicious. They found that Granny Smiths have the highest levels of non-digestible compounds like fibers and polyphenols, which the study says have been connected to protecting against chronic disease.
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The scientists studied fecal samples from obese mice that had been fed non-digestible compounds found in the flesh and skin of Granny Smith apples, looking for clues in the mice’s bacterial population. “The non-digestible compounds in the Granny Smith apples actually changed the proportions of fecal bacteria from obese mice to be similar to that of lean mice,” says food scientist Giuliana Noratto, the study’s lead researcher, in a statement.
When fermented by colon bacteria, non-digestible compounds alter the levels of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Specifically, they increase the growth of the beneficial type that happens to be threatened in obese people’s systems. Getting a healthier balance of gut bacteria may help consumers improve their metabolic processes, avoiding disorders that are linked to obesity like low-grade, chronic inflammation that can lead to diabetes. Plus, balanced bacteria can contribute to feeling more satiated, another key factor in maintaining a healthy weight.
This study joins the growing body of research surrounding the association between gut bacteria and weight. Check out these foods that are essential to good gut health to keep your insides looking just as fit as your outside.
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