Dried Apples: Health Benefits

Fruits are incredibly healthy, and apples occupy a special place among them. There is an English expression that if you eat at least one apple a day, the attending physician will be left without work. It is noteworthy that the beneficial substances in the apple are not only in the pulp, but also in the peel, and even the bones.

As for dried apples, unlike most fruits, useful substances and vitamins are completely stored in them, which is why dried fruits from them are so popular. There are many ways to dry apples, and they begin to harvest them at the end of summer. But about all this in order.

Composition and calorie content

Speaking about the content of nutrients in dried apples, it is worth noting separately the insoluble fiber, which is a source of fiber. Only 1/3 cup contains its daily norm. Fiber in the body regulates the amount of cholesterol and sugar: if it is enough, then you can safely forget about indigestion and constipation.

Also, many simply do not know that the peel of apples contains a huge amount of antioxidants, which are stored in dried fruits. Another important feature is that, unlike other dried fruits, apples retain important vitamin C. This is an undeniable advantage.

The “fullness” of dried fruits also makes apples stand out from the rest: just one glass contains about 210–230 kcal, which is almost 3 times more than in one large fruit.

Energy value of the product:

• Proteins - about 2 g.
• Fats - almost none (0.1 g).
• Carbohydrates - about 60 g.
• Useful components:
• Carotene and vitamins.
• Valuable minerals.
• All kinds of sugar.
• Pectins.
• Organic salts and minerals.
• Tannins.
• Essential oils.
• Iron and phosphorus, which are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body.
• Organic acids.

Trace elements:

1. Iron. This is an extremely important element for the human cardiovascular system. It is directly involved in hematopoiesis and oxygenates the blood.
2. Potassium. Ordinary salt helps to ensure that this element does not linger in the body. And its lack can lead to serious consequences - convulsions, dizziness and slowing down the intestines. That is why it is so important. In addition, it favorably affects the nervous system.
3. Copper. It helps the body and its systems function properly, and also participates in many processes, such as hematopoiesis, the production of enzymes and connective tissues.
4. Manganese. This trace element is very important, because it is involved in almost all processes of the work of human organs and systems.
5. Selenium. The effect of this trace element on the body has been discovered relatively recently. It is worth noting that selenium itself is extremely toxic, but in small doses it reduces the likelihood of cancer and is part of all anti-cancer drugs.

Vitamins:

1. Dried apples contain a wide range of B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6). They normalize the work of the intestines and have a beneficial effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, improve the condition of the skin, increase mood and participate in cell growth.In addition, they help to cope with stress and depression.
2. Vitamin K. Has a decisive role in blood coagulation.
3. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). One of the most important vitamins for the body, the lack of which can cause very serious problems for the human body.
4. Vitamin E. It is also called “Women's Vitamin” because it gives beauty and health, comprehensively rejuvenates the body and reduces dry skin.

What are the benefits of dried apples

For women

Eating apples is extremely beneficial because of its high levels of trace elements, fiber and vitamins. But for women, this fetus is important in its own way, since it has a definite positive effect on their body:

1. With the regular use of dried apples for food, the hair becomes soft and shiny, and the skin takes on a natural and ruddy color.
2. Dried apple-based diets can help shape your body, as the fruit burns excess fats.
3. Apples in the form of dried fruits significantly slow down skin aging and smooth wrinkles due to the presence of vitamin E.
4. Dried fruits strengthen bone tissue and prevent the development of osteoporosis.
5. In addition, they reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus and breast.
6. Apples help women to handle stressful situations more easily thanks to the presence of vitamin B.

If a woman eats enough dried apples, her body will be saturated with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. This will help to be completely healthy and look young.

For men

The benefits of eating dried apples for men are undeniable. So, they increase endurance, which is extremely important for those whose work is associated with physical activity or who spend a lot of time in the gym. Regular use also reduces the risk of asthma and Alzheimer's. And the rejuvenating ability of dried fruits is expressed in freshness and vitality.

It is no secret that the male body is more prone to the occurrence of various cardiovascular diseases than the female. This is why doctors strongly recommend eating apples regularly.

Dried apples, especially in the winter season, help normalize the production of hormones in the male body and restore their balance. They also improve potency.

Drawing conclusions from the foregoing, it can be safely noted that eating dried fruits from apples is strongly recommended for all men, especially those who carefully monitor their health and weight. Apples will help not only to look cheerful and young, but also increase mood and potency.

During pregnancy

Dried apples contain a huge amount of iron, which makes them the number one product in pregnancy. Also, they do not cause allergic reactions, which is an additional advantage. Pregnant women are not sick of them, so such dried fruits are considered almost an ideal snack option.

Fact! Few people know, but in apples there is the necessary amount of pectin, which removes toxins from the body, protecting the unborn child and his mother.

The benefits of eating dried apples is not just a conclusion based on the availability of nutrients, but a fact proven scientifically. So, during the observations it was revealed that children whose mothers regularly ate apples did not have allergies and asthma in the future. The reason for this is the presence of antioxidants in the fetus, which are mainly found in the peel.

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that dried apples are an ideal product for pregnant women, especially in winter.

When breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, it is especially important for mother to monitor her diet, because the use of certain products directly affects the health of the child. Sometimes products can make breast milk allergenic, so you have to completely change your usual diet.

In the first six months, breast milk protects the baby, because with it he receives all the useful trace elements. Dried apples contain important vitamins and nutrients that are so necessary for the baby. For example, vitamin K strengthens the heart muscle, while iron maintains hemoglobin levels. Pectin removes toxins, and fiber prevents constipation. But the main advantage is the hypoallergenicity of the product.

For children

Dried apples are the most healthy product for children. It is worth noting that by the end of winter there are no vitamins left in apples, while in dried fruits and jam their quantity will be almost the same as in a freshly picked fruit.

Apple is an excellent sorbent. Due to this, toxins are removed from the body, blood and lymph are cleansed. If the baby has not yet begun to brush his teeth on his own, an apple will come to the rescue. It will help brush your teeth and prevent the development of bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Speaking about the benefits, one can not say that apples do not cause allergies, so they can be introduced into the baby’s food at the first feeding. The beneficial substances and vitamins contained in dried apples will be better absorbed if combined with dried apricots, raisins, bananas and yogurt.

The benefits of dried apples for weight loss

Apples are a product that is often used for weight loss and body shaping diets. This is mainly due to the presence of a sufficient amount of fiber and pectin. In addition, when dried, the fruit loses only water, and the concentration of vitamins and nutrients grows significantly.

Speaking of dried apples, as the main product in a strict diet, you can find completely opposite opinions. The product can hardly be attributed to light and nutritious. It is rather a dietary supplement that helps burn excess fat and saturate the body with important trace elements and vitamins.

However, as a result of research, it was proved that eating only 12–20 g of dried apples a day after six months, the amount of cholesterol in the body decreases by 1/4, and a person loses about 2 kg of weight.

Dried apples in medicine

With diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disease, the treatment of which requires adjusting the diet. Diet will be a fundamental factor in the fight against the disease. Some in vain believe that they will have to give up treats, since dried fruits, including dried apples, can become an alternative to sweets.

As mentioned earlier, diabetes is an endocrine pathology. This means that it is more difficult for the body to break down and absorb glucose. Diet for diabetes is to reduce the amount of carbohydrates and glucose. Dried fruits also contain complex carbohydrates, so the body metabolizes them slowly, and the blood glucose level does not increase sharply, which makes dried apples an excellent product for people with diabetes.

Important: the glycemic index of dried apples is 35 units.

With pancreatitis

As with diabetes, a strict diet should be followed in the treatment of pancreatitis. The problem in this case is the presence of fiber in the products. The fact is that during drying all useful substances, including fiber, are preserved, therefore, against the background of acute pancreatitis, the products where it is contained should be discarded.

However, as the disease progresses to the chronic stage, some limitations can be neglected. So, during this period, you can and should eat dried apples, because the beneficial substances contained in them restore the microflora of the stomach and normalize its work.

In any case, with pancreatitis, you should not get carried away with dried fruits, but it is better to pay attention to the compotes that are prepared from them, since they do not exert a load on the pancreas.

With gastritis

Gastritis, in fact, is a chronic disease associated with a decrease in the thickness of the gastric mucosa. For successful treatment, it is necessary to abandon the use of a number of products that mechanically affect the walls of the stomach.

With gastritis, doctors do not recommend eating fresh apples, as they affect acidity, but dried apples can and even be useful. When dried, they concentrate a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients, some of which have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract.

For the intestines

Dried apples contain a large amount of fiber: in 1/3 cup of its about 3 g. Fiber, in particular, is extremely important for the stomach, as it helps to lose weight and remove toxins. When it enters the body, it swells, and its volume becomes 3 times more. Then fiber, gently affecting the walls of the stomach, cleanses the esophagus and removes harmful substances, which leads to weight loss. Fiber is sometimes called the “sponge” of the colon.

In addition, it stimulates the digestion and assimilation of nutrients, which increases immunity.

For constipation

Digestion complications may well arise even in an absolutely healthy person. The most common problem is constipation. The causes of its occurrence may be stress, changes in the usual diet, infection, etc. Apples normalize the intestines, which is why they are included in various diets, as a sharp change in nutrition can be a real problem.

As for dried apples, they are recommended to be eaten for constipation. Fresh apples can cause flatulence and fermentation, which often exacerbates the situation. Dried apples contain plant fibers that act as a mild laxative. They act on the walls of the intestines and soften feces, so you do not have to push hard, which eliminates the risk of prolapse of the rectum. Fiber helps restore the normal functioning of the digestive tract. If you include dried apples in the diet on an ongoing basis, it is likely that you can forget about constipation forever.

With gout

Gout is associated with an excess of uric acid in the body, which is the main cause of its occurrence. Treatment is associated with a diet that excludes protein. In addition, it necessarily includes an apple, namely its peel, so the inclusion of dried fruits from the fetus in the diet is very important for the effective fight against the disease.

Trace elements and nutrients contribute to the restoration of strength and the body's fight against inflammation. Dried apples and products prepared on their basis, excrete salts of uric acid, which is especially important.

Dried fruits also contain tannins, which are an excellent prophylactic against gouty joint inflammation.

Harm and contraindications

Dried apples can harm the body, this is primarily due to excessive consumption.

1. Do not eat dried apples in case of violation of the normal functioning of the digestive tract. The fact is that if before eating dried apples the presence of fiber in the diet was scarce, then its increased amount will become a real test for the stomach. And this can lead to cramping, constipation and diarrhea.
2. Weight gain. Dried fruits, including dried apples, contribute to weight loss, but it is necessary to review the diet. If this is not done, then the number of calories consumed will increase significantly, which, in turn, will affect the figure.
3. Dried apples contain a lot of sugar, so after eating them you need to brush your teeth or drink water to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
4. In addition, dried apples contain acids that irritate the gastric mucosa, so they should be used very carefully with gastritis and ulcers.
5. For pancreatitis and diabetes, it is important to consult a physician observing the disease before eating.

How and where to store dried apples

In the winter months, dried apples are a true vitamin storeroom, but many do not know how and where to store them properly to protect them from mold, moisture and insects.

In addition to space and containers, temperature is an important component of proper storage. It is desirable that it does not exceed 10 ° C. If dried fruits are ready already in the summer, then a window sill or balcony will be an ideal place. There is good ventilation in these places, which will prevent the appearance of excess moisture and mold. With such storage, it is better to cover dried apples with a clean cloth, because under UV light, some beneficial substances disintegrate.

In winter, when colds come, dried fruits should be placed in containers and removed in a dark place: a closet or pantry. The container will protect them from moisture. As an insurance, you can put a saucer with salt or soda near the storage location to reduce humidity. The ideal rate is 30%.

You can store dried apples in containers made of plastic, glass or cardboard, each method is good, it remains only to make a choice.

If the main goal is to protect dried fruits from pests, then a cloth bag is just perfect for this. Insects simply will not be able to get to them through the tissue. In addition, the workpieces will be ventilated, which will be an additional advantage: the risk of mold will be reduced. In order to sew a bag, you do not need special knowledge and skills, the main thing is that it closes tightly. As a material, natural fabrics should be used. Before storage, the fabric should be treated. To do this, wash the bag with ordinary household soap. For greater protection, the fabric can be treated with soapy foam that does not need to be washed off. After drying, it is necessary to place dried apples there and put them in a cupboard.

When storing dried fruits in a jar, you must strictly adhere to the rule: apple slices must be absolutely dry. Otherwise, excess moisture will appear in the jar, which can lead to mold. It is also necessary to periodically open the lid for ventilation.

To protect dried fruits from insects is another tricky way. Before drying, an apple slice should be washed in running water and dipped in salted water. After that, for 10 minutes, the slice must be placed in a vinegar solution (1 tablespoon of vinegar in 1 liter of water). After such a simple procedure, dried fruits will not smell, and therefore attract insects.

How to dry apples at home

On open air

Harvesting dried apples begins in late summer, when the main harvest occurs. Drying apples in the open air is a popular method of harvesting for many centuries, so during this time certain rules were clearly formed.

The main advantage of drying in the open air is that you can cook a large number of dried fruits at one time. This method is recommended to be used only in hot or dry weather, since in the rainy and cold period it takes a lot of time, besides there is a risk of spoiling the final product.

Drying process:

1. Rinse and thoroughly wipe the fruit.
2. In the event that apples were purchased at the store, the peel should be cut off, if homemade, be sure to leave it.
3. Remove core.
4. Cut into slices, the thickness of which should not exceed 1 cm.
5. So that the slices do not darken, you can soak them in a weak saline solution.
6. Lay slices on a clean surface in one layer.
7. Cover the apples with gauze so that insects do not sit on them and do not lay larvae.

You can dry in the sun and in the shade. In the first case, drying will take only a few days, however, direct sunlight and ultraviolet light will destroy many useful organic compounds. Therefore, drying carried out in the shade is considered more useful.

It is very simple to determine if dried apples are ready: if the peel has darkened and the flesh has stopped sticking, the product is ready for storage.An interesting way is to harvest dried fruits in a bath. They resort to it when the weather has deteriorated sharply or the street has become quite cool. Slices of apples are placed on baking sheets and put them in a bath, which is intensively heated for 3-4 hours.

Important! The color of the drying does not show the degree of its readiness. For example, summer varieties of apples will look light, and winter varieties will look dark. This should be considered when harvesting.

Oven drying

For well-known reasons, city residents will not be able to dry apples in the open air, so many have learned how to do this in an oven.

In order to properly prepare the drying in the oven, you should rely on some rules:

1. The oven allows you to save almost all the useful substances and vitamins, therefore, it is not necessary to remove the core, on the contrary - it will add taste and benefit to the compote made from dried fruits.
2. Baking sheets are not suitable for drying fruits, including apples. To do this, use a grill or mesh on which to lay parchment or baking paper.
3. It is necessary to monitor the temperature in the oven. After the start of drying, when it reaches 50 ° C, the door should be slightly opened so that part of the moisture leaves it. The main mode of drying apples should occur at a temperature of 90 ° C. Modes should be alternated.

In the microwave

Apples can be safely dried for the winter, even in a microwave. For this purpose, it is best to use winter varieties of apples, since summer products of low quality are obtained:

1. Apples should be prepared: wash and wipe, the core can not be removed if it is planned to cook compote from them. Cut into slices. When drying in a microwave oven, the procedure should be carried out portionwise, since the surface of the chopped apples in the air quickly darkens.
2. Set the furnace to a power of 200 watts.
3. Drying temperature should be slightly lower, designed to defrost food.
4. Set the oven timer for no more than 1 minute, and check the readiness every time.

What varieties of apples are suitable for drying

It is important to understand that not all varieties of apples are suitable for preparing dried fruits. For example, sweet apples are not good, because the drying will be tasteless. Winter varieties are used quite rarely and only high-quality ones. Therefore, the most suitable are sweet-sour autumn varieties: Pepin, Antonovka or Aport. These varieties are also distinguished by a high solids content, which means that they will decrease slightly.

Apples should be large with a thin skin, and the seed box should be small.

How many dried apples are obtained from a kilogram of fresh

Any apple consists of approximately 90% water. The final indicator depends on the variety, peel thickness and seed box size.

When drying, only water is removed from the apples, so it is easy to calculate how many apples are needed to get 1 kg of dried fruits. Practice shows that from 10 kg of fresh apples, 1.1-1.3 kg of the finished product can be obtained.

What can be made from dried apples

Compote

The simplest drink that can be prepared from dried apples is stewed fruit: a natural product, tasty and healthy in winter.

Cooking method:

1. Prepare the products. For 6 servings you will need about 350 g of dried apples, 250 g of sugar, 2–2.5 l of water, citric acid and cinnamon.
2. Rinse dried fruit thoroughly and place in a saucepan.
3. Boil water, pour apples.
4. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
5. In the resulting broth add citric acid, cinnamon and cool. You can also add frozen fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries.

Kvass

Kvass, like compote from dried apples, is quite easy to make. It is useful and nutritious, and you can enjoy its taste on the second day.

For cooking you will need: a pair of large handfuls of dried fruit from apples, 3.5 liters of water, 150 g of sugar, a couple of tablespoons of honey and 5 g of dried yeast.

First you need to rinse the dried apples, and then place them in boiling water for 10-15 minutes, while the broth should be stirred thoroughly periodically. After time, strain the broth and cool to room temperature. Then add honey, sugar and pour into a jar.

After that, pour dry yeast over the entire surface and cover with gauze. Leave for a day in a warm place. The next day you can feel the incredible aroma of kvass. The readiness of the drink is easily determined by the characteristic foam. Pour the resulting kvass and put it in the refrigerator.

Decoction

The basic rule for preparing healthy food is minimal heat treatment, since valuable nutrients decompose and lose their strength under the influence of temperature. That is why steamed food is considered healthy.

The same applies to dried fruits: no matter how much they contain vitamins and nutrients, cooking will significantly affect their amount in the end, especially this will affect vitamin C. Moreover, dried fruits have already undergone some processing.

To prepare a delicious decoction of dried apples, you need to take 250 g of dried fruit, rinse and place them in a pot of water for 1-2 hours, so that they swell. Then drain, put in a thermos, pour boiling water and leave overnight. In the morning you get a delicious decoction of dried apples.

Infusion

Dried apple infusion is a drink that is great for children. It contains nutrients and fiber. It is easy to cook, and it is perfectly absorbed by the body. Dietary fibers normalize digestion and stool, and also cleanse the child's body from harmful substances.

The infusion is prepared as follows: dried apples are steamed with boiling water and kept at high temperature, but not boiled! 1/3 cup dried fruit must be poured with hot water and cover.

Jam

The Middle East is considered the birthplace of jam, this was facilitated by the climate and the abundance of exotic fruits. Over time, delicacies began to be prepared around the world according to various recipes. Jam from dried apples is especially popular due to the simplicity of preparation and benefits.

For cooking, you need 1 kg of dried apples and the same amount of sugar. Before starting, dried fruits need to be soaked for a day to make them soft. Then put them in a pan, pour water and cover with sugar. To speed up the process, sugar can be dissolved in water. Cook over low heat until cooked.

Is it possible to give animals dried apples

Dried apples are useful not only for humans, but also for animals, which is why they can be found in feed. For animals, in addition to vitamins, fiber is very important for cleaning the body.

It is recommended that dogs introduce dried apples into the feed no more than twice a week, and in small quantities. So, for small breeds - this norm is no more than 2–4 lobules, medium - no more than half a handful, and large - a handful. In addition, only dried green apple varieties should be given, since red can cause allergies.

Cats can also be given dried apples in small quantities no more than once a week.

Interesting facts about apples

An apple is a wonderful, healthy and beloved fruit, but few people know interesting facts about it. So:

1. The birthplace is Asia, but the fruit is especially popular in Europe and the USA.
2. An apple is the third fruit in the world in popularity; it is second only to bananas and mangoes.
3. Half of the fruit tree world is apple trees.
4. Apples contain an acid that dissolves gallstones.
5. If you eat one apple every day, to taste all kinds, it will take more than 20 years - there are so many.
6. Apples are given an important role in religion, not only in Christian, but also in ancient Greek and Scandinavian mythology.
7. Despite the fact that apples have a lot of sugar, fiber levels its effect, and their use does not affect the glucose content in the blood.
8. Apple pie was first baked in England in the fourteenth century, and it was impossible to eat its crust.
9. Approximately 1/4 the apple consists of air, which is why the fruit does not sink in water.
10. Apples reduce the risk of cancer.
11. Apple seeds contain a dangerous poison - cyanide. But in order to bring harm, you need to eat more than 250 seeds.
12. Green apples strengthen bones and teeth, as well as improve vision. The amount of vitamin C in them is 2 times more than in red.

Photo of dried apples