If you look at the patients admitted to nursing hospitals, there are quite a few patients with stroke (paralysis) who have difficulty moving as well as dementia. Although apples are healthy fruits, they are especially helpful in preventing post-menopausal stroke (cerebral infarction – cerebral hemorrhage) in middle-aged women. Why are apples good for preventing vascular disease?
◆ Stroke threatens the health of middle-aged women, why is it increasing so much?
Estrogen (female hormone) protects blood vessels in women. It also contributes to blood pressure control. However, as the estrogen effect disappears before and following menopause, it is easy to be exposed to diseases that narrow and block blood vessels. A stroke is classified as a cerebral infarction when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked and a cerebral hemorrhage when it ruptures. High blood pressure, which puts pressure on blood vessels, is more common in men before middle age, but more women than 60 years of age. If you eat salty foods, lack of exercise, and even smoke, your risk of vascular disease increases.
◆ What ingredients in apples lower the risk of stroke?
Apples are a representative food that helps prevent stroke. Numerous researchers around the world, including the American Stroke Association, the Heart Association (AHA), a research team at the University of Leeds in the UK, and the University of Munster Medical School in Germany, have confirmed the stroke prevention effect of apples. First, a lot of dietary fiber in apples plays a role in lowering the risk of stroke. Dietary fiber has the function of ‘cleaning’ blood vessels by discharging bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides that accumulate in blood vessels and increasing good cholesterol (HDL). Potassium, which lowers blood pressure, and ursolic acid, which reduces inflammation, also help protect blood vessels.
◆ What foods other than apples reduce the risk of stroke?
Potassium-rich foods also reduce the risk of stroke and death. Potassium is a major electrolyte that composes body fluids, and excretes excess salt (sodium) from the body. Sodium aggravates high blood pressure and clogs blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke. Potassium is abundant in vegetables and fruits, especially bananas. However, people with bad kidneys should eat following consulting a doctor or nutritionist in advance because potassium-rich foods can cause hyperkalemia. Green tea catechins also help regulate blood pressure and help blood flow.
◆ Apple’s bronchi and lung protective effect… Contribute to the prevention of osteopenia
Quercetin in apples helps protect the broncho-lungs from cooking smoke, cigarette smoke, and air pollutants. It is also rich in antioxidants that reduce damage to the body and slow aging. Apples contain a lot of potassium, which inhibits the excretion of calcium from the body, so it has the effect of strengthening bones. All of these ingredients are particularly good for the health of menopausal women.
◆ Gut health, constipation prevention-helps to relieve
The pectin component in apples helps the peristalsis of the intestines to ‘clean’ the intestines and is effective for constipation. It promotes gastric juice secretion, aids digestion and absorption, and aids in defecation. Malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid, which are abundant in organic acids, remove fatigue substances from the body and are good for skin beauty. Eating apples also has the effect of refreshing the body and mind.
Reporter Kim Yong-eok ecok@kormedi.com
ⓒ ‘Honest knowledge for health’ Comedy.com (https://kormedi.com) / Unauthorized reproduction-redistribution prohibited
