APPLES COMBAT INFLAMMATION

A
pple peel is an abundant source of triterpenoids –
plant-based compounds for which anti-cancer effects
are suggested. Elke Richling, from University of
Kaiserslautern (Germany), and colleagues studied the effects
of ursanic, oleanic and lupanic pentacyclic triterpenoids found
in apple peel for their anti-inflammatory effects, using colon
cancer cells that were exposed to the triterpenoids and then
stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Finding that the apple peel compounds inhibited the
expression of IP-10, a gene that is linked to inflammatory
disorders including irritable bowel disease, the study authors
submit that: “The present study confirms that triterpenoids
present in apple peel … may be implicated in the
anti-inflammatory properties of apple constituents,
suggesting that these substances might be helpful in the
treatment of [irritable bowel disease] as nutrient
supplements.”
So the old saying: “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”
proves to be much more than just an old wives tale!
Add this to the growing positive research on the benefits of
apples including the positive research found on ursolic acid a
compound found in apple peel.
Ref:Food Chemistry, Volume 139, Issues 1–4, 15 August