Apple Intake Research Articles

Effects of repeated exposure to either vegetables or fruits on infant’s vegetable and fruit acceptance at the beginning of weaning

This study investigated the effects of repeated exposure to either vegetables or fruits on an infant’s vegetable and fruit acceptance during the first 18days of weaning. We hypothesized that repeated exposure to a type of vegetable or fruit, would increase its intake. Furthermore, we expected that being exclusively weaned with vegetables would result in a higher acceptance of vegetables than being exclusively weaned with fruits. To investigate this, a 19-day intervention study was conducted in 101 healthy infants, aged 4–6months. Infants were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Two groups received exclusively vegetable purées as targets every other day for 18 consecutive days; green beans was the target for one group and artichoke for the other group. The other two groups received exclusively fruit purées including either apple or plums as the target fruit. On day 19, the vegetable groups consumed their first fruit purée and the fruit groups their first vegetable purée. At the beginning of the study on days 1 and 2 and at the end on days 17, 18 and 19, the infants were fed fruit or vegetable purée in our laboratory. On days 3–16, the parents fed their infants the fruit or vegetable purées at home.Outcome variables were vegetable and fruit intake over time. Mean vegetable intake in the vegetable group increased significantly from 24±28g (mean±SD) on days 1 and 2 to 45±44g on days 17 and 18. Fruit intake in the fruit group increased significantly from 46±40 to 66±42g. Fruit intake was significantly higher than vegetable intake from the start. Repeated exposure to fruit had no effect on the vegetable intake. The first intake of green beans in the fruit groups at day 19, was 24±29g and on average as low as the green beans intake in the vegetable groups at the 1st exposure on days 1 or 2. Similarly, the first apple intake in the fruit groups on days 1 or 2 of 47±48g did on average not differ from the first apple intake of 45±49g in the vegetable groups on day 19. The mean intake of green beans and plums increased significantly after repeated exposure. The intake of the target food artichoke stayed low and the intake of apple only increased slightly. These findings confirm that at the first exposure fruit acceptance is higher than vegetable acceptance. Weaning with vegetables, but not with fruits, may promote vegetable acceptance in infants.

Oral Challenges with Four Apple Cultivars Result in Significant Differences in Oral Allergy Symptoms

Background: We analyzed the hypoallergenic potential of a recently bred apple selection with unusually low content of Mal d 1, using an oral challenge model with three additional apple cultivars for comparison. Methods: Sixty-six birch pollen-allergic individuals with a history of oral allergy syndrome after apple intake were subjected to a double-blind oral provocation with two apple cultivars (B:0654 and ‘Discovery'). Thirteen also tested two other apple cultivars (‘Ingrid Marie' and ‘Gloster'). Three doses were given consecutively, 30 min apart: 10 g without peel, and 10 and 50 g with peel. A final assessment was conducted 30 min after the last intake. Oral symptoms were graded from 0 to 5. Total oral symptom score (TOS) included all scores for each cultivar at all time points. Results: B:0654 induced significantly higher TOS than ‘Discovery' when tested by 66 individuals, in spite of its lower Mal d 1 content. TOS values were higher in females and increased with increasing age of the individuals when challenged with ‘Discovery'. Among the 13 individuals who tested all four cultivars, B:0654 produced a higher score after the second dose compared to ‘Ingrid Marie'. This was also the case after the third dose compared to ‘Ingrid Marie' and ‘Gloster', and again 30 min after the last intake compared to each of the other three cultivars, as well as a higher TOS compared to each of the other three cultivars (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our test was safe and well tolerated, and produced significant differences among the apple cultivars. Contrary to expectations, B:0654 was less well tolerated than the other three cultivars.

Coupled Matrix Factorization with Sparse Factors to Identify Potential Biomarkers in Metabolomics

Metabolomics focuses on the detection of chemical substances in biological fluids such as urine and blood using a number of analytical techniques including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Among the major challenges in analysis of metabolomics data are (i) joint analysis of data from multiple platforms, and (ii) capturing easily interpretable underlying patterns, which could be further utilized for biomarker discovery. In order to address these challenges, the authors formulate joint analysis of data from multiple platforms as a coupled matrix factorization problem with sparsity penalties on the factor matrices. They developed an all-at-once optimization algorithm, called CMF-SPOPT (Coupled Matrix Factorization with SParse OPTimization), which is a gradient-based optimization approach solving for all factor matrices simultaneously. Using numerical experiments on simulated data, the authors demonstrate that CMF-SPOPT can capture the underlying sparse patterns in data. Furthermore, on a real data set of blood samples collected from a group of rats, the authors use the proposed approach to jointly analyze metabolomics data sets and identify potential biomarkers for apple intake. Advantages and limitations of the proposed approach are also discussed using illustrative examples on metabolomics data sets.

Effects of Apple Products on Plasma LDL Oxidation

Apple products contain polyphenol antioxidants, but human studies of apple antioxidant effects are few. The present study showed that apple and apple product intake decreased concentrations of plasma oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). Healthy, middle aged subjects were divided into 1 of 4 groups (N=16 each) for 1 mo treatment: apples (1 per day), multiple apple products (1 apple, 1 cup apple juice, 1 serving apple sauce per day), apple extract capsules (polyphenol content of 3 apples), or placebo capsules. Plasma oxidized LDL in plasma was determined by an ELISA assay kit (Alpco Diagnostics Inc.). Plasma oxidized LDL concentrations in each of the following groups showed decreased values for post‐intervention versus pre‐intervention: the apple group, the apple product group, and the apple extract group (paired t‐test p‐values &lt; 0.05). Placebo did not show a significant effect. A possible mechanism might have been increases in the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 since apple intake is reported to affect these activities. However, in the present study, no consistent effect was seen for any of the apple groups for changes in superoxide dismutase 1 in red blood cells. In summary, apple product consumption can decrease plasma contents of oxidized LDL, which could present a reasonable strategy for nutritional prevention of atherosclerosis

LC–MS metabolomics top-down approach reveals new exposure and effect biomarkers of apple and apple-pectin intake

In order to investigate exposure end effect markers of fruit and fruit fibre intake we investigated how fresh apple or apple-pectin affects the urinary metabolome of rats. Twenty-four Fisher 344 male rats were randomized into three groups and fed a standard diet with different supplementations added in two of the groups (7% apple-pectin or 10 g raw apple). After 24 days of feeding, 24 h urine was collected and analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS in positive and negative ionization mode. Metabolites that responded to the apple or pectin diets were selected and classified as either potential exposure or effect markers based on the magnitude and pattern of their response. An initial principal component analysis (PCA) of all detected metabolites showed a clear separation between the groups and during marker identification several new apple and/or pectin markers were found. Quinic acid, m-coumaric acid and (-)epicatechin were identified as exposure markers of apple intake whereas hippuric acid behaved as an effect marker. Pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid and 2-furoylglycine behaved as pectin exposure markers while 2-piperidinone was recognized as a potential pectin effect marker. None of them has earlier been related to intake of pectin or other fibre products. We discuss these new potential exposure and effect markers and their interpretation.

Apple Intake Reduces Hypertension and Cardiac Pathology in Obese Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

Apple Intake Reduces Hypertension and Cardiac Pathology in Obese Rats with Metabolic Syndrome

Free fruit at workplace intervention increases total fruit intake: a validation study using 24 h dietary recall and urinary flavonoid excretion

To validate 24 h dietary recall of fruit intake by measuring the total 24 h excretion of 10 different flavonoids in 24 h urine during an intervention with free fruit at workplaces. Employees at workplaces offering a free-fruit program, consisting of daily free and easy access to fresh fruit, and controls employees at workplaces with no free-fruit program were enrolled in this validation study (n=103). Dietary intake was assessed by using a 24 h dietary recall questionnaire at baseline and approximately 5 months later. Ten flavonoids, quercetin, isorhamnetin, tamarixetin, kaempferol, hesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, daidzein, genistein, and phloretin, were measured using HPLC-electrospray ionization-MS. The 24 h urinary excretion of total flavonoids and the estimated intake of fruits were significantly correlated (r (s)=0.31, P<0.01). The dietary intake of citrus fruits and citrus juices was significantly correlated with total excretion of citrus specific flavonoids (r (s)=0.28, P<0.01), and orange was positively correlated with naringenin (r (s)=0.24, P<0.01) and hesperetin (r (s)=0.24, P<0.01). Phloretin in urine was correlated with apple intake (r (s)=0.22, P<0.01) and also with overall estimated intake of fruit (r (s)=0.22, P<0.01). This study shows that a 24 h dietary recall can be used as a valid estimate of the intake of fruits in agreement with an objective biomarker of fruit intake in free fruit at workplace interventions.

New Paradigms in the Management of Diverticular Disease

Intakes of apple and its products are shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by delaying occlusion of coronary arteries. In our previous study, we showed that apple pectin protected against myocardial injury by prohibiting apoptotic cascades in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion. Thus, we hypothesized that water-extracted apple, into which apple pectin was released from the cell wall, might exhibit the same efficacy as apple pectin. To test this hypothesis, we fed rats either cold water– (400 mg kg−1 d−1) or hot water–extracted apples (HWEA; 40, 100, and 400 mg kg−1 d−1). Three days later, the rats were subjected to myocardial injuries by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (30 minutes), and subsequently, the heart (3 hours) reperfused by releasing the ligation. Only the rats that were supplemented with HWEA (400 mg kg−1 d−1) showed significant reductions in infarct size, which was 28.5% smaller than that of the control group. This infarct size reduction could be partly attributed to the prevention of steps leading to apoptosis. These steps are manifested by a higher Bcl-2/Bax ratio, lower procaspase-3 conversion to caspase-3, and inhibition of DNA nick generation, which reflects the extent of apoptosis. The findings indicate that HWEA supplementation reduces myocardial injury by inhibiting apoptosis under ischemia/reperfusion conditions. In conclusion, this study suggests that apple intake, specifically boiled apple, might reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by inhibiting postocclusion steps, such as myocardial injury after artery occlusion, as well as preocclusion steps, such as atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Effect of apple intake on fecal microbiota and metabolites in humans

The effects of apple intake on the fecal flora, water content, pH, and metabolic activities in eight healthy volunteers and the utilization of apple pectin in vitro were investigated. Although several isolates of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and the Bacteroides fragilis group utilized apple pectin, most isolates of Escherichia coli, Collinsela aerofaciense, Eubacterium limosum, and Clostridium perfringens could not. When fecal samples from healthy adults were incubated in liquid broth with apple pectin present or absent, the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the former were higher than those in the later. After the intake of apples (2 apples a day for 2 weeks) by eight healthy adult humans, the number of bifidobacteria in feces increased ( p < 0.05 on day 7 and p < 0.01 on day 14 of the intake period), and the numbers of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus including Enterococcus tended to increase. However, lecithinase-positive clostridia, including C. perfringens, decreased ( p < 0.05), and Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas tended to decrease. Moreover, the concentrations of fecal acetic acid tended to increase on apple intake. The fecal ammonia concentration showed a tendency to reduce and fecal sulfide decreased ( p < 0.05) on apple intake. These findings indicate that apple consumption is related to an improved intestinal environment, and apple pectin is one of the effective apple components improving the fecal environment.

Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of acute coronary syndrome

Prospective epidemiological studies have reported that a higher fruit and vegetable intake is associated with a lower risk of CHD. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between fruit and vegetable consumption, in particular the subgroupings citrus fruits, apples and cruciferous vegetables, and the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 1075 incident ACS cases were identified among 53 383 men and women, aged 50-64 years at recruitment into the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort study in 1993-7. Fruit and vegetable intake was estimated from a validated FFQ, and ACS incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Overall, a tendency towards a lower risk of ACS was observed for both men and women with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. For men, we found an inverse association for apple intake (IRR per 25 g/d: 0.97; 95 % CI 0.94, 0.99). This association was also seen among women, albeit borderline significant. However, a higher risk was seen among women with higher fruit juice intake (IRR per 25 g/d: 1.04; 95 % CI 1.00, 1.08). The present results provide some support for previously observed inverse associations between fresh fruit intake, particularly apples, and ACS risk.

Clinical Effectiveness of Regular Use of Unripe Apple Mask Pack on Skin Status of Middle-aged Women

The effects of unripe apple mask pack made from unripe apple extracts on the skin status of middle-aged women for 4 weeks were investigated. The subjects were divided into three groups: placebo mask pack as the control (PM, n = 8), apple mask pack (AM, n = 16), and apple mask pack + apple intake (AAM, n = 12). The study included a survey questionnaire, and evaluations of nutrients intakes and of skin status. Skin status was measured by Aramo-TS. After 4 weeks, facial moisture, elasticity, evenness, and wrinkle level were improved in AM and AAM. The facial moisture level (AM: +3.13 ± 2.73, AAM: +2.25 ± 2.93) and elasticity level (AM: +5.81 ± 8.27, AAM: +5.50 ± 6.13) of AM (p < 0.001) and AAM (p < 0.05) were increased. The facial evenness level (AM: -5.25 ± 8.13, AAM: - 9.17 ± 4.26) and wrinkle level (AM: -10.88 ± 11.74, AAM: -17.83 ± 12.22) were significantly decreased. AAM was more effective in improving skin elasticity, evenness, and wrinkle. The skin status of PM was not changed. While the macronutrient intakes of all the subjects were not different before and after the study, the daily intakes of some vitamins (vitamins B6, C, and E and folic acid) during the study were significantly increased in AAM. These findings suggested that regular use of apple mask pack was effective in improving overall skin status. Furthermore, the consumption of apples with mask pack application was much better in improving skin status.

No effect of the farming system (organic/conventional) on the bioavailability of apple (Malus domestica Bork., cultivar Golden Delicious) polyphenols in healthy men: a comparative study

The organic food sales have been increasing during the recent years. It has been hypothesised that organically grown fruits are healthier based on their higher content of phytochemicals. However, data on the bioavailability of phytochemicals from organically or conventionally produced plant foods are scarce. Two human intervention studies were performed to compare the bioavailability of polyphenols in healthy men after ingestion of apples from different farming systems. The administered apples were grown organically and conventionally under defined conditions and characterised regarding their polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. No significant differences in the polyphenol content and the antioxidant capacity from the organic and conventional farming system were observed. In the short-term intervention study, six men consumed either organically or conventionally produced apples in a randomized cross-over study. After intake of 1 kg apples, phloretin (C (max) 13 + or - 5 nmol/l, t (max) 1.7 + or - 1.2 h) and coumaric acid (C (max )35 + or - 12 nmol/l, t (max) 3.0 + or - 0.8 h) plasma concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.0001) in both intervention groups, without differences between the two farming systems. In the long-term intervention study, 43 healthy volunteers consumed organically or conventionally produced apples (500 g/day; 4 weeks) or no apples in a double-blind, randomized intervention study. In this study, 24 h after the last dosing regime, the apple intake did not result in increasing polyphenol concentrations in plasma and urine compared to the control group suggesting no accumulation of apple polyphenols or degradation products in humans. Our study suggests that the two farming systems (organic/conventional) do not result in differences in the bioavailability of apple polyphenols.

Effect of dilution degree of commercial nectar and provision of fruit on food, energy and nutrient intake in two rainbow lorikeet subspecies

A feeding trial was performed on adult rainbow lorikeets of two subspecies: six green-naped lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus) and six red-breasted lorikeets (T. haematodus mitchellii). Throughout the entire trial, half of the birds from each subspecies had ad libitum access to water-diluted commercial nectar powder and drinking water only, whereas the other half also received ad libitum apple pieces. During three consecutive 14-d periods, the nectar powder was diluted to a different degree: 1:3 (low), 1:5 (high) and 1:4 (medium) (v:v). Diluting nectar to a higher degree resulted in both subspecies in a decrease in voluntary energy intake. Next, nectar intake significantly decreased when apple was available and apple intake significantly increased when fed higher-diluted nectar. In green-naped lorikeets fed nectar and apple, energy intake was similar between dilution degrees of nectar but was lower compared with feeding only low- or medium-diluted nectar. Whereas, in red-breasted lorikeets, provision of apple next to medium- or high-diluted nectar resulted in higher voluntary energy intake compared with feeding solely nectar of any degree. Overall, protein and thiamine intake as well as Ca:P ratio of the ingested ration were lowest when fed highly diluted nectar and apple. Yet, minimal requirements were still covered. Because energy content of fruit can be higher than liquid diets, in this case medium- or high-diluted nectar, ad libitum provision of fruit as a means to lower voluntary energy intake in lorikeets, for instance in case of obesity, needs to be considered with care.

Fruit and vegetable intake and serum cholesterol levels: a cross-sectional study in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate, in a cross-sectional study, whether the intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with lower serum cholesterol levels. The groupings of interest for this study were apples, other fruits, and vegetables. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 42,972 men and women included in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort (1993 – 1997). This population excluded persons with self-reported cardiovascular risk factors, in order to ensure a “heart-healthy” population. Among men, both apple and vegetable intake was found to be associated with significantly lower serum cholesterol levels. An increase in apple intake of 50 g d−1 was associated with a 0.04 mmol l−1 lower serum cholesterol level. Furthermore, analyses combining vegetable and alcohol intake showed lower serum cholesterol levels in men with a low alcohol intake (≤ 10 g d−1). For women, the same pattern was seen for apples and vegetables, albeit to a lesser extent for apples. Analyses combining vegetable intake and waist circumference measurements showed that women with a smaller waist circumference had lower levels of serum cholesterol. Our findings thus provide some support for previous inverse associations found between higher apple intake and lower serum cholesterol levels.

Modifying the school environment by reducing portion size of lunch meal entrees

Meal energy density can be decreased if children eat more fruits and vegetables and smaller portions of entrées. We examined whether children increased fruit and vegetable intake to compensate for reduced portion size of lunch entrées. We conducted a pilot study in a low‐income K‐8th grade school (mean = 330 students eating school lunch/d). Full portions of 5 entrées were served during 10 control days and a choice of full or half portions of the same entrées were served during 10 intervention days. Accompanying foods were held constant in each condition. Plate waste was measured to compare mean intake of entrées, fruits and vegetables/student/d by condition. Students (n=31) answered survey questions about taking half portions. Only 10% or fewer selected half portions when made available which was observed to vary with the popularity of the entrée and student age. No significant differences were observed by condition in entrée, fruit or vegetable consumption with the exception of apple intake which increased when half portions were offered. Consumption of all entrées was generally high in both conditions (78–90% of food taken) while fruit and vegetable intake was lower (64% of food taken). Survey responses indicated that selection of half portions of entrées would be based on liking, hunger and usual intake. In this study, making half portion size entrées available at school lunch was not likely to affect meal energy density.

Relevance of apple consumption for protection against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in human lymphocytes

In a single-dosing crossover study, we investigated the ability of apple fruit consumption to protect human lymphocytes against peroxide-induced damage to DNA. Six healthy, non-smoking male volunteers were placed for 2d on an antioxidant-poor (AP) diet. After 48h of AP diet, the volunteers were required to consume a homogenate obtained from 600g of red delicious unpeeled apples or water (500 ml); blood samples were collected 0, 3, 6 and 24 h post-consumption. To evaluate whether the apple intake was sufficient to restore resistance of DNA to oxidative damage, for each subject at any time point the plasma total antioxidant activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and induction of micronuclei (MN) in isolated lymphocytes following hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment were measured. Results indicated a significant inhibition (58%, P <0.05) of H2O2-induced MN frequency in the plasma samples collected at 3 h after apple consumption, as compared with plasma samples collected at 0 h (4.17 (SD 1.83) v. 9.85 (SD 1.87) MN/1000 binucleated (BN) cells, respectively). A gradual return towards the value observed at 0 h was recorded starting from 6 to 24 h. MN frequency induced by H2O2 was significantly influenced by plasma total antioxidant activity (r = -0.95, P <0.05) and by the increase of intracellular ROS formation (r = 0.88, P <0.05). These findings suggest that the consumption of whole apple provides a useful dietary source of active scavengers to protect cells and tissue from oxidative stress and related DNA injury.

Flavonoid intake and coronary mortality in Finland: a cohort study

To study the association between dietary intake of flavonoids and subsequent coronary mortality. A cohort study based on data collected at the Finnish mobile clinic health examination survey from 1967-72 and followed up until 1992. 30 communities from different parts of Finland. 5133 Finnish men and women aged 30-69 years and free from heart disease at baseline. Dietary intake of flavonoids, total mortality, and coronary mortality. In women a significant inverse gradient was observed between dietary intake of flavonoids and total and coronary mortality. The relative risks between highest and lowest quarters of flavonoid intake adjusted for age, smoking, serum cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and body mass index were 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.53 to 0.90) and 0.54 (0.33 to 0.87) for total and coronary mortality, respectively. The corresponding values for men were 0.76 (0.63 to 0.93) and 0.78 (0.56 to 1.08), respectively. Adjustment for intake of antioxidant vitamins and fatty acids weakened the associations for women; the relative risks for coronary heart disease were 0.73 (0.41 to 1.32) and 0.67 (0.44 to 1.00) in women and men, respectively. Intakes of onions and apples, the main dietary sources of flavonoids, presented similar associations. The relative risks for coronary mortality between highest and lowest quarters of apple intake were 0.57 (0.36 to 0.91) and 0.81 (0.61 to 1.09) for women and men, respectively. The corresponding values for onions were 0.50 (0.30 to 0.82) and 0.74 (0.53 to 1.02), respectively. The results suggest that people with very low intakes of flavonoids have higher risks of coronary disease.