It is a symbol of sin and desire, eternal youth and the beginning of war. Apple is the most ambiguous product in mythology and history, and one of the most useful – at the dinner table. Why do you need to eat apples every day? What do you not know about familiar “strangers”?
The Garden of Eden, or the temptation of Adam
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived happily until Adam decided to try the forbidden fruit. And although the Bible does not say a word about apples, Christians believe that it was about them. The reason for the possible mistake is that until the fifteenth century, when the first translation of the Bible into English was made, “apple” was the common name for all fruits.
Interestingly, in Latin, the terms “apple” and “evil” are still denoted by one word – mălum, which also indirectly points to quotations from the Bible.
In Ukraine, the “Adam’s apple” is called kadik – the upper part of the thyroid cartilage in men (kadik). It is said that this “mark” arose when Adam drowned in the forbidden fruit, and is a reminder of the Fall for future generations.
Apples also play an important role in mythology. Scandinavian myths say that “bulk fruits” give eternal youth, and ancient Greek stories say that the Trojan War broke out through the apple of the goddess Eris.
And how often apples appear in children’s fairy tales! “Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs”, “The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Bulk Apple”, “Swan Geese” – and this is just the beginning of a long list!
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- In ancient Greece and Rome, apples were a sign of wealth.
- The largest apple in the world was grown in 2005 in the Japanese city of Hirosaki, it weighed 1.85 kg.
- On average, one person eats about 65 apples a year.
- One apple contains about 4.5 g of fiber. The daily norm of indigestible dietary fiber (fiber) is 25 g per day. That’s enough to forget about constipation forever. Thus, 6 medium apples are a good alternative to laxatives.
- Apples are 25% air, so do not sink in water.
- To prevent the halves of the apples from darkening after cutting, they should be sprinkled with lemon juice.
- If you have harvested unripe fruits or vegetables, apples will help speed up their ripening. To do this, in a bag of green fruits (such as tomatoes, avocados or peaches) you need to put 1-2 apples and leave at room temperature. Apples emit ethylene, which accelerates ripening.
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Why do you need to eat apples every day?
An old English proverb says “Eat an apple a day and you won’t need a doctor!”.
It has a deep meaning. Apples are an incredibly useful fruit, relying on which you can significantly improve your health.
What do you get by following an apple “diet”?
Strengthening immunity
Apples are a valuable snack at any time of the year, but it is especially important to eat it during the cold season. This is the most available source of vitamin C – an antioxidant that increases the body’s resistance to colds, strengthens the immune system.
In 100 g of apples – 10 mg of vitamin C. For comparison: in 100 g of lemon – 45 mg. But you will not be able to eat lemons whole, peeled! Whether it’s fragrant apples!
Protection against cancer
Apple lovers are 50% less likely to suffer from lung cancer – this conclusion was recently reached by scientists. Flavonoids contained in fruits, along with vitamin C, have antioxidant properties, which is an effective measure for the prevention of cancer.
Benefits for the thyroid gland
Apple seeds contain iodine, which makes them useful for people who lack an important trace element. However, the key role here is played by quantity. Do not eat more than 7 seeds a day, because they also contain a compound of cyanide – a toxic substance that is deadly to the body. Fortunately, its concentration in seeds is extremely low.
Remedies for fatigue
A person who often eats “Ukrainian Superfood” is less likely to experience depression, mood swings, chronic fatigue. Ripe fruits contain beneficial substances for the nervous system – B vitamins, phosphorus and glutamic acid.
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World-renowned Apple uses a folklore character named John Appleseed to showcase new gadgets and devices, which means “apple tree planter.” Few people know that his prototype was a real man – John Chapman.
He traveled extensively in the United States, planting apple orchards. At the same time, his actions were deprived of romantic connotations and thoughts about a happy future. Just at that time, to get the land in possession, it was necessary to cultivate the economy on it. One way is to plant a garden by planting 50 trees. A thoughtful traveler planted apple trees and then sold the land to other people.
The story goes that Chapman’s apples were not suitable for eating fresh – they were firm and tasteless. But people have adapted to make cider and alcoholic cocktails from them. However, after the introduction of the dry law, almost all the apple trees planted by Chapman were cut down by the state authorities.
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Food for the brain
Apples are the best snack for schoolchildren and students, because they contain a high concentration of boron – a substance that stimulates the work of both hemispheres of the brain and increases mental abilities.
Cataract prevention
According to research, regular consumption of fruits rich in antioxidants is one of the effective measures to prevent cataracts – reducing the risk of disease by 10-15%. As mentioned above, apples are high in antioxidants.
Unloading for the body
Unloading days on apples are one of the most popular in the world. This is a classic that allows you to “rest” the body (a kind of detox) and prepare for an important event. If you arrange an unloading day once a week, you can prevent the appearance of extra pounds, lose a little weight.
However, it should be borne in mind that it is impossible to unload fresh apples to people with gastrointestinal problems, as a more useful alternative can be used baked fruit. In any case, coordination of your plans with your doctor is a must.
Photoshop smiles
Dentists recommend eating apples after meals – for better teeth cleaning. The acids contained in the fragrant fruit are excellent for bacteria that cause caries, and the dense flesh cleans the tooth enamel well, which makes the smile snow-white and the breath fresh.
Continuation of youth
Malic acid is actively used in cosmetology to prolong the youth of the skin, thus confirming that apples are really “rejuvenating” fruit. Peels based on malic acid remove pigmentation, reduce the depth of wrinkles, even out skin turgor.
What to cook: 3 delicious recipes
Apple tea in Turkish
Peel 2 red apples and remove the core, cut into cubes. 1 orange with peel cut into small slices. 4 cups water with 2 cinnamon sticks and 1 pc. Heat cloves to boiling, add prepared fruit and cook for 5 minutes. Add tea leaves to the broth (make tea to taste) and sweat for another 20-25 minutes until the fruit is soft.
Apple pie with sea buckthorn
Grind 150 g of sea buckthorn in a blender, transfer the resulting puree into a saucepan with a thick bottom. Add 1 kg of apples, cut into small cubes, and cook with sea buckthorn for 15 minutes, until the fruit softens (if necessary, you can add a little water).
While the filling is simmering on the fire, prepare the dough. Combine 250 g of flour with 1 tbsp. l. starch, a pinch of salt and vanilla. Pour 80 ml of vegetable oil and clean water, knead a smooth dough.
Put the dough in a baking dish, bake for 10 minutes. Then remove from the oven, place the filling on top and bake for another 30 minutes. At the end of cooking, sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar.
Soaked apples with honey
Boil 5 liters of clean water, cool to 40 ° C, add 250 g of honey, 75 g of flour and 90 g of salt, leave to cool completely.
Wash 10 kg of apples, 10 pcs. currant leaves and 50 g of basil sprigs rinse under running water.
At the bottom of the dish alternately lay a layer of currant leaves, sprigs of basil, apples. Cover the top layer with currant leaves, pour the prepared solution, place the wick on top. Incubate for 2 weeks in a cool place.
