Does Eating Apple Peel Help You Lose Weight?
The consumption of apple peel could increase the amount of brown fat, which would help us improve metabolism, according to different studies.
The Anglo-Saxon saying “an apple a day keeps you away from the doctor” is not far from the truth. Various studies have indicated that the apple is a food with beneficial health properties. Now, what is true in the statement that eating apple peel would help you lose weight? Let’s find out below.
Keep in mind that the apple is a food considered beneficial by all experts. In addition to promoting weight loss, it contributes significantly to intestinal health.
The benefits of apple peel
Apple peel contains a very special compound called ursolic acid. It would help improve muscle mass, according to an article published in PLOS One . This would be interesting as it could act as a therapy against muscle loss.
On the other hand, eating apple peel could also increase the amount of brown fat in the body. This could help us to boost the metabolism and, therefore, lose weight.
The findings suggested that ursolic acid would reduce obesity, as well as glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease by increasing skeletal muscle and brown fat. Therefore, it is considered a possible therapeutic approach to fight obesity and obesity-related diseases.
Ursolic acid is mainly concentrated in the apple peel. However, it is also found in blueberries, prunes, basil, oregano, and thyme, among others.
The University of Iowa Study
The benefits of apple peel were studied by Dr. Adams and his team of American experts from the University of Iowa. First, they found that muscle wasting is associated with disease and aging. For this reason, the periods of hospitalization of the elderly tend to lengthen and their recovery is delayed.
To understand its causes, they studied the genetic changes produced when muscles atrophy. Thus, they supplemented the high-fat diet of a group of mice with small amounts of ursolic acid. Subsequently, they were subjected to health tests.
What was found was that the muscles of the rodents that consumed this acid became larger than those of the control group. However, the benefits did not end there. Mice fed apple peel had lower blood fat levels and about a third less body fat.
Currently, some research supports the benefits of ursolic acid. Among them its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, more studies would be necessary to obtain conclusive data.
The fiber content of apple peel
Another of the beneficial aspects of apple peel is that it contains a high amount of fiber. This manages, on the one hand, to increase the feeling of satiety, so that we are less likely to eat unhealthy food between meals.
At the same time, the soluble fiber in the apple peel is capable of fermenting at the intestinal level, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Also, short chain acids are generated from said fermentation. These have anti-inflammatory properties, so they reduce the risk of developing certain complex pathologies.
The fiber in apples is considered a prebiotic compound. The optimal result is to combine it with probiotic bacteria present in fermented foods, in order to safeguard the proper functioning of the intestinal system, preventing dysfunctions and health problems. He also thinks that it is possible to introduce supplements of both elements, although the proper thing is to first ask a specialist for advice before starting their consumption.
How to eat apple peel?
To take advantage of all the benefits of the apple peel, it is recommended to consume it raw. It is best to eat the whole fruit, without peeling, just washing it first with fresh water to clean the possible toxins that have accumulated on the outside.
You can also include this food in various shakes, although this will lose some of the properties of the fiber when it is broken into smaller pieces. The best option is always to eat the fruit in its natural state, without it being altered from a mechanical or thermal point of view. This way you will be able to take advantage of all the nutrients that are inside.
Improve lifestyle habits to lose weight
We must emphasize that any result can only be achieved within the framework of a healthy life, physical exercise and a balanced diet. S nly performing physical activity regularly may experience significant weight loss, as the diet has certain limitations in subjects with low lean mass.
So you know, eat an apple a day. In this way, in addition to providing the body with necessary nutrients, it will help you lose weight and build muscle.
