Myths and facts about apples
Apples are fruits with a versatile use and rich history, often surrounded by mystery or myth. These popular fruits not only delight with their taste and aroma, but they also have valuable nutritional properties. Their history and cultural significance date back to ancient times, and many legends and superstitions associated with them show how deeply rooted they are in tradition. Thanks to legends about the magical properties of apples, they have become a symbol of strength, knowledge and longevity. But is it all true? Here are some facts about this tasty fruit.
Taste of apples
Myth: All apples taste the same.
Fact: It is estimated that over 7,500 varieties of apples are grown around the world, and each of them has its own unique taste, appearance and properties. Some are sweeter (Gala), others are more sour (Gray Reinette), some are harder (Ligol), and others are soft (Lobo). There is a misbelief that the tastes of all new apple varieties are very similar. New varieties are usually created based on old ones and often resemble their taste and aroma, for example the variety ‘Jonagold’ was created by crossing ‘Jonatan’ and ‘Golden Delicious’.
Does the colour of an apple matter?
Myth: Only red apples are valuable.
Fact: The colour of an apple has no significant impact on its nutritional value. All apple varieties, whether green, red or yellow, are healthy and have similar nutritional benefits. The red colour comes mainly from anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Red apples tend to taste sweeter and are juicier. The green colour comes from the presence of chlorophyll. Green apples tend to have lower sugar content, making them crunchier and refreshing. The yellow colour comes from the presence of carotenoids, which are also present in carrots and pumpkins. Yellow apples have a sweet, delicate taste, they taste great raw and are good for baking.
Apple with or without its peel?
Myth: Apples should be peeled.
Fact: The peel of an apple contains many valuable nutrients – vitamins, minerals and fibre. It contains much more of them than the fruit itself, so by peeling the fruit, we deprive it of what is most valuable in it. There is a treasure trove of dietary fibre and the highest concentration of vitamins under the peel. It is best to eat apples with their peel. Of course, it is worth washing them thoroughly under running, warm water beforehand.
Is apple scab harmful to humans?
Myth: Apples with scab symptoms can be harmful to human health.
Fact: Apple scab is a pathogen that causes surface lesions on the peel. Pathogenic changes affect the peel, but they do not go deep into the pulp tissue. This apple disease causes a significant reduction in yield and its value, and a significant weakening of the affected trees. Infected fruits store worse or are not suitable for storage at all. However, there are no scientific studies confirming that apples with apple scab are dangerous to humans.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”
Myth: Children are very similar to their parents and statistically inherit half of their parents’ genes.
Fact: Some genes work if the appropriate variant is inherited from both parents. These are the so-called recessive genes. One copy of such a gene version (allei) means that a trait will not manifest itself. Other genes always manifest themselves, even if you only have one copy from one parent (these are the so-called dominant genes). The matter is complicated by the fact that some genes are co-dominant (dominant if there are other appropriate gene variants) or not entirely dominant. Many traits are inherited polygenically, meaning that they are influenced not by one but by several genes. This is the case, for example, with hair colour, eye colour or height, for which many genes are responsible. All this means that even if we know the exact sequence of genes of both parents, it is impossible to predict what their offspring will look like.
Does eating an apple replace the need to brush your teeth?
Myth: The freshness and “abrasive” properties of an apple can clean your teeth better than toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Fact: Unfortunately, eating an apple is not a substitute for brushing your teeth. This fruit contains acids that create ideal conditions for the development of cavities. In addition, no practices can replace proper teeth cleaning using toothpastes, mouthwashes and dental floss.