Share
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! No, not the phone, it's the real one. You must have heard this adage that emphasises the fruit's nutritional value. So, before you have apples for breakfast or an apple pie for a healthy dessert, here's a breakdown of the nutrients apples do have. Apples are undoubtedly rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Both red and green apples are nutrient-dense; however, there are subtle distinctions between the two apples. Red apples are sweet and juicy, while green apples are sour and crisp. Here are the distinctions between red and green apples that determine whether green apples offer more health benefits than red apples.
Nutritional Value of Green Apple
According to a study by NCBI, the nutritional value of green apple, based on dry matter content, includes several antioxidants and minerals. Specifically, it contains Quercetin-3-glucoside at 0.0194 mg/g with a standard deviation of ± 0.0011, Quercetin-3-D-galactoside at 0.0557 mg/g with a standard deviation of ± 0.0007, and Quercetin-3-rhamnoside at 0.0395 mg/g with a standard deviation of ± 0.0002. In terms of minerals, green apple provides 15.32 µg/g of iron (± 0.27), 1.51 µg/g of copper (± 0.03), and 1.88 µg/g of manganese (± 0.01), with selenium being absent. These values highlight the presence of important nutrients and their variability in green apples.
Health Benefits of Green Apple vs. Red Apple
Aids Digestion
Green apples are better for digestion than red apples since they have more fibre. Fibre prevents constipation and promotes regularity. Apple pectin, a soluble fibre, boosts gut bacteria and digestion. Red apples have less fibre than green apples, but both aid digestion.
Supports Weight Loss
Green apples are low in sugar and carbs, making them good for weight loss. Their high fibre and water content keeps you full, reducing appetite and calorie consumption. While red apples can help you reduce weight, green apples are excellent for those who wish to cut sugar.
Boosts Immune System
Green apples contain higher levels of vitamins A, C, and E, which are crucial for a robust immune system. Vitamin C, in particular, is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body against infections and diseases. Red apples also boost immunity, thanks to their antioxidant content, but the higher vitamin content in green apples provides an additional boost.
Improves Lung and Liver Health
Both green and red apples are rich in antioxidants, but green apples have an advantage due to their higher vitamin and mineral content. The antioxidants in green apples protect the lungs from oxidative damage and prevent inflammation, improving respiratory health. High fibre content supports liver detoxification. Green apples are more effective than red apples since they have slightly more nutrients.
Promotes Heart Health
Green apples are beneficial for heart health because of their lower sugar content and higher levels of essential vitamins and minerals. The fiber in green apples helps lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants in green apples also protect the heart by preventing oxidative damage to blood vessels. Red apples also contribute to heart health, but the nutritional composition of green apples provides a slight advantage.
Enhances Skin Health
The vitamins A and C in green apples are excellent for skin health. These vitamins promote collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and preventing wrinkles. Green apples also contain vitamin E, which protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Red apples do benefit the skin, but the higher vitamin content in green apples offers more comprehensive skin health benefits.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Green apples are better for blood sugar management than red apples since they have a lower glycemic index. Green apple fibre reduces sugar absorption, reducing blood sugar rises. Diabetes patients and those at risk benefit from this. While red apples include fibre, green apples are better for blood sugar control due to their reduced sugar level.
Both green and red apples are healthy, but green apples have more vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Green apples help with digestion, weight loss, immune support, lung, liver, heart, skin, and blood sugar regulation. Due to their antioxidant content, red apples are also healthy. Mixing green and red apples in one's diet provides a variety of nutrients and health benefits.
