Apples have more than 100 million healthy bacteria

OAccording to extensive new research, the apple contains over 100 million bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut and protect against disease.

The new study from the Technical University of Graz, Austria, also revealed that organic apples contained a more diverse microbiome, suggesting that it might be better for the human intestines than for the plant.

In their experiment, the researchers compared the bacteria found in apples of the Arlet variety grown in Austria to four non-organic bacteria bought in stores and badyzed against four organic apples.

Research has shown that each part of the apple – stem, peel, fruit pulp, seed and calyx – has "distinct bacterial communities", with the pulp and seeds containing the most.

The report states: "Organic and conventional apples are occupied by a similar amount of microbiota; The consumption of the whole apple includes about 100 million copies of bacterial genes. However, freshly harvested and organically managed apples harbor a much more diverse, homogenous and distinct microbiota than conventional microbiota;

"In addition, organic apples have beneficial effects on the health of the consumer, the host plant and the environment."

Sphingomonadales, Rhizobiales, Pseudomonadales This may not appear appetizing, but such bacterial types are increasingly recognized as playing a crucial role in the human microbiome, as a healthy gut is seen as a potential way to prevent many chronic diseases.

Studies such as these confirm the claim that high consumption of fresh produce is also considered the best way to achieve a healthy gut.

Professor Gabriele Berg of Graz University of Technology, one of the authors of the research, said: "Bacteria, fungi and viruses in our food transiently colonize our intestines. Cooking kills most of them. Raw fruits and vegetables are therefore a particularly important source of intestinal microbes. "

Rob Percival, head of food and health policy at the Soil Association, said, "This study just adds to the body of evidence showing the potential benefits of an organic diet for the health. We know that organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of nutritionally desirable antioxidants, and we know that organic farming improves microbial abundance and microbial activity in soils.

"The study raises intriguing questions about the relationship between soil health, plant health and human health, but further research is needed to determine how much microbial diversity contributes to everyone's health."