Food of the Week: Apples
It's a time-worn saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away -- is that true? What benefit could the apple offer to those of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome?
Apples contain a lot of things that we need, for symptom management and overall health, including:
- Malic acid, which can help boost cellular energy and alleviate muscle pain and tenderness. Apples are one of the richest sources of malic acid.
- Fiber, which is important for heart health, intestinal function, glucose regulation and lowering cholesterol.
- Vitamin C, which is essential for healthy tissues and bones, and also protects your body from toxins.
- Quercetin, which emerging research shows may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may also boost energy and improve mitochondrial health.
To get the full benefit of those nutrients, you need to eat the peel. Be sure to give them a good washing to get rid of pesticide residues and the waxes that are generally put on to make them look good at the grocery store. Some nutritional experts recommend organic apples, but of course those are harder to find and more expensive.
In my effort to eat more fruits, I've been eating a lot of apples lately. I like it that they're fairly filling, so I can have one for breakfast or a light lunch, perhaps with a slice of cheese or some nuts for protein. I figure they're especially important for me because I can't tolerate malic acid supplements. On days when I'm especially achy, they do seem to help take the edge off the muscle pain.
Do apples help you feel better? Is there a food you'd like to see profiled here? Leave your comments below!
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- Food of the Week: Bananas
- Food of the Week: Cucumbers
- Food of the Week: Potatoes
- Diet & Nutrition for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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I’m not sure I’ve noticed muscle pain alleviated by apples, but I have noticed they are a FANTASTIC substitute for coffee. I switched my coffee for apple slices during class time and find that my concentration is much better, lasts longer, and there are no crashes or side effects like the sugary coffee drinks I like. I’ll keep an eye out for the muscle pain relief though, because I could use more of that!
Non-organic apple peels can give me mouth sores, not sure if it is the wax or the chemicals, but I find no mouth injuries when I buy organic. It could make all the difference!
Apples are a no no for me!!!! They make me feel worse…
I can eat any kind of apple EXCEPT Red Delicious. It feels like it scrapes my esophagus all the way to my stomach. I have no idea what happens iwth Red Delicious – I always wash fruit very well. I get the pain whether I peel them or not. I am also allergic to bananas – they irritate my mouth, esophagus and stomach. Is there a connection to apples?
Thanks for the reminder to eat apples regularly – they don’t do much good in the fridge
When I was first diagnosed with ME and FM part of the regime was allergy testing. One food I was allergic to was red apples. I could only eat green apples.
I’m a chocoholic and like to slice an apple and use a whiff of no cal chocolate syrup. It’s even tasty with pears.
I don’t know about others but I get bored with eating the same basic diet every day.
Barbara
I eat one Ambrosia apple everyday. I don’t know if the apples are helping my muscle pain, but I like them and at least I’m eating some fruit. I have Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so I know I need to eat better.
my dr for me/cfs does a whole range of testing for allergy and food intolerance’s this is his first part of his treatment for every-one , i found i had fructose malabsoprtion. his research with prof kenny de meirleir (see his slides on http://www.mecfs-vic.org.au )
is finding that nearly 2/3 of people with me/cfs in australia, Melbourne study have a fructose malabsorption . the worst foods for those with fructose malabsorption are apple plus onions watermelon,and pears and fructans i could not ever suggest apples for people with ME/CFS every-one should get this checked by having a breath hydrogen test for fructose malabsoprtion
Have been recently ( last few months) eating an apple in the morning – and I do notice that I am less achy than normal. Red Delicious or yellow delicious are all I can eat.
I love apples. I read an article that said apples are one of the fruits you should by organic because pf pesticides.
It’s interesting to read these comments and find that some are helped by apples and others are sensitive to apples. I feel great with some apple varieties and others are too sweet or give me a dry feeling in the mouth. If they have a thick peel, I do better peeling them. Same with grapes, if the skin is tough, I peel them and they are much easier to tolerate. I find listening to your own body and cravings is the most important thing with foods. We are all different and react differently to foods, supplements, and medicine.
Do you think natural applesauce is just as good as a whole apple?
I love apples but I also seem to have trouble eating the peeling. And I had wondered if it was indeed the wax causing mouth sores. I am an SLE patient