January 22nd, 2010 | 
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Conventional wisdom says that apples are a healthy snack. A recent study supports it, finding that a component of the fruit, called pectin, increases levels of friendly bacteria in the digestive system.
Microbiologists from the National Food Institute of the University of Denmark evaluated the effect of apple consumption by feeding rats a diet of whole blocks in addition to products derived from fruit, as juice and applesauce.
The researchers then reviewed the bacteria in the intestines of rats to determine whether eating apples affected the levels of “friendly” bacteria, which are bacteria that are beneficial for digestive health and may reduce the risk of certain diseases.
The study findings appear online on January 20 in the journal BMC Microbiology.
“In our study, we found that rats who ate a diet rich in pectin, a component of dietary fiber in apples, had higher amounts of certain bacteria that could improve intestinal health” they said in a news release Editor magazine study co-researcher Andrea Wilcks.
“It appears that when apples are eaten regularly and for prolonged periods, these bacteria help produce short chain fatty acids that provide ideal pH conditions to ensure a balance of beneficial microorganisms. They also produce a chemical called butyrate, which is a important fuel for cells of the intestinal wall, “said Wicks.
The study authors noted that more information is needed to determine whether the findings in rats apply to humans.
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Posted in Supplements and Vitamins | 
Tags: apple, bacteria, cell, digestive system, fruit, health, healthy snack, Microbiology, microorganisms, pectin