The Apple

by Baba Sayuti

F ruits are probably the best food and medicine money can buy. The more fruits we eat, the greater our chances of staying healthy and fit for a lifetime. Citrus fruits are especially important protectors against diseases.

Not all fruits are created equal, so it is important to know what time or which specific nutrients we wish to absorb into our system. Hence, some easy to get
fruits are really very nutritious. Examples are: Pawpaw, Mango, Banana etc.

Apples are good, but good mainly for cold and temperate climates because of its high calories that help the body to generate the required heat. But, they are not so good in the tropics because of the high calories and sugar. Worthy of note is that most tropical fruits are by nature low in calories and rich in nutrients. Below are the nutrient level and calorie counts for apples and few other fruits.


APPLE with peel - nutrient index (daily value per 100 grammes) is 2. Look at the calories per nutrient 32.8, you can imagine.

PAWPAW (papaya): Calories per nutrient is 2.8. Contains vitamin C, foliate, etc. Nutrient index is 14 which is very good because 14 against 2.8.

MANGO: Vitamin A and E. Calories 5.9 Nutrient index is 11, which is also good.

BANANA: Magnesium and Potassium.

Most farmers use inorganic method of farming which is also harmful for our health. Lets us see how we can reduce pesticide residues in apples.

Peel fruits such as apples, when appropriate (peeling removes pesticides that remain in or on the peel, on the other hand, it also removes fiber, vitamins and
minerals so you can imagine.)

Food-Poisoning fear. Recently there have been several well-publicized outbreaks of food poisoning from bacterially contaminated fruits juices, raspberries and strawberries. These outbreaks spurred considerable debate over regulatory issues.

An outbreak of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in late 1996 was traced to unpasteurized organic apple juice. It is clear that pathogens can survive in fruit juices, and there is no doubt that the process of pasteurizing virtually eliminates the risk of bacterial contamination.

Although non-pasteurized fruit juices may taste slightly better, the difference is not worth the risk. Before purchasing or drinking apple cider, it is always wise to ascertain that it has been pasteurized. Health Officials in the U.S. are now
considering legislation requiring the pasteurization of all fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

About the author: Baba Sayuti comes from the northern region of Ghana, West Africa, and currently resides in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.