Ukrainian doctor explains why apples might be harmful
Photo: Doctor explains who should not eat apples (Freepik)
Apples are considered a symbol of healthy eating and are recommended for children, adults, and even people on diets. However, modern apples can harm the digestive system, and the reason isn’t just fructose, said Ukrainian gastroenterologist and dietitian Professor Halyna Anokhina.
Why can’t everyone eat apples?
"Apples often contain fructans — substances that are poorly digested," Anokhina explains.
As a result, the intestines can experience excessive gas formation, bloating, cramps, and even pain. People with sensitive digestive systems or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may develop these symptoms after eating just a few apples, and this is not uncommon.
Fruits should ripen naturally
It’s also important to consider how and when the fruits were harvested. According to the expert, fruits should ripen naturally, on the tree or bush.
However, in modern agribusiness, they are often picked unripe and later ripen in special chambers or cold storage. This creates stressful conditions for the fruit, increasing its toxicity.
For example, bananas are harvested green and brought to ripeness in storage facilities. The same applies to persimmons, which are sometimes even frozen to speed up ripening. But as the doctor warns, artificially ripened fruits may be more toxic than those that ripen naturally on the tree.
If you experience bloating or abdominal pain after eating fruit, the fruit may be the cause.
Halyna Anokhina advises paying close attention to diet, eating only ripe fruit, and avoiding overconsumption of foods containing fructans.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
