Marked improvement from apples

[knackers323]

I have been getting a noticeable improvement from eating three royal gala apples per day

I’ve stopped and started it numerous times and there there is no doubt that it’s causing this effect

Im thinking the most likely reasons are it’s effect on gut bacteria, antioxidants/flavonoids/polyphenols

Anyone have any other ideas?

If anyone tries it, please let me know the results

I noticed a difference within days

 

[PatJ]

Do you eat them all at once or spaced throughout the day? If they're spaced out then they might be keeping blood sugar more stable.

What improvements have you noticed?

 

[Wolfcub]

Apples contain soluble fibre which does help gut bacteria, vitamin C, Quercetin, Catechin, Chlorogenic acid, potassium, carbohydrates, etc.
Here's a list of what they contain.

 

[knackers323]

I space them throughout the day

I feel more energy and closer towards feeling normal

Other fruits don’t seem to be giving the same benefit so I don’t think it’s sugar related and I’ve taken vitamin c, so unless my body is utilising it better from apples rather than supplements, it doesn’t appear to be the vitamin c

If anyone tries it, you may want to build up to this amount and don’t eat two at once as I got stomach cramps when I did

 

[Hip]

It may be the malic acid content of the apple which leads to the benefits you feel.

Studies have shown that malic acid, taken with magnesium, can increase energy in ME/CFS and reduce pain in fibromyalgia. Ref: 1 2 Malic acid is part of the Krebs cycle.

You get about 550 mg of malic acid in each apple. Ref: 1 I've found that malic acid 600 mg capsules noticeably increase energy, but unfortunately in my case also cause a more aggressive state of mind, which I do not like. So I don't take malic acid for that reason; but otherwise I would definitely take it.

Malic acid is one of the so-called fruit acids.

 

[Wolfcub]

Apples do have a very cleansing healthy effect on the bowels generally, and are wonderful for people who get constipation. A healthier gut could be one reason for feeling better when eating them?

 

[uglevod]

Chlorogenic Acid

 

[Wolfcub]

Don't apples also contain pectin? I seem to remember they are often added to other fruit jams, because of this. It helps the jam set better....(or something)

 

[ljimbo423]

Don't apples also contain pectin?

Yes, apples have between 1 and 1.5% pectin according to wikipedia. Which would be about 1,000 mg of pectin for an 80 gram apple, if my hurried math is right. Pectin is a prebiotic, so it feeds good bacteria in our gut.

 

[Wolfcub]

I love apples more and more today I usually have apple mixed with grapes or blueberries etc for breakfast, plus some other things like pumpkin seeds etc.

 

[ljimbo423]

I love apples more and more today I usually have apple mixed with grapes or blueberries etc for breakfast, plus some other things like pumpkin seeds etc.

What a healthy breakfast!

 

[Tammy]

This is what Anthony William says about apples from his "Liver Rescue" book. Apples provide living water to support the liver's hydration capabilities, so it can store the water and then release it back into the bloodstream when dehydration occurs. The fruit acids in apples help cleanse the liver by dispersing toxic films that build up inside its storage banks. Apples starve out bacteria, yeast, mold, other fungi, and viruses from the intestinal tract and liver. Great for dissolving gallstones.

 

[ShepherdK]

I ate two apples a day (breakfast + dessert) for two months and noticed a marked improvement in symptoms. I eventually had to stop them altogether due to horrible gas + other gastro issues after my last crash. I think the safest recommendation is an apple a day, or an apple every other day for maximum effect long term. Part of my latest crash was definitely caused by other factors, but the apples seemed to cause a potential overgrowth of Bacteroides - which came back high when I tested my microbiome via Thryve.

I think apples may target two parts of the negative feedback loop in ME/CFS:

1. Malic acid playing a key role in metabolic pathways.
2. Pectin in apples modulate gut bacteria, which may alter gut dysbiosis/homeostasis.

EDIT: Thryve data analysis during my two months eating apples. Shout out to CFSRemission on building the tool to analyze this in detail.

 

[sb4]

Malic acid sounds more likely but maybe increased fructose plays a role if you have some insulin trouble? I might have to try eating apples to see if I notice anything.

 

[Wolfcub]

It might make a difference to eat only organic apples? The "mainstream" store-bought ones could have been irradiated? Or at least have been treated with many chemical sprays during their growth.

 

[Seadragon]

@knackers323 I wondered if it was the Quercetin in apples that might be helping. It's a strong antioxidant.

Copied from the ME-pedia website:

"Quercetin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are thought to be important in resolving the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. Additionally, a 2009 study by J. Mark Davis,et al., showed markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in mouse skeletal muscle and brain, and on endurance exercise tolerance after a week of Quercetin in their food."

 

[Dechi]

I eat one gala apple a day, at breakfast. I haven’t noticed anything special from it. I fact I just had the worse few days I had in a long time, maybe ever.

 

[Wolfcub]

Yes I often have apple (gala usually) with my breakfast, and don't always feel the better for it No blame on the apple. I will crash and relapse whether I have apples or not, or any other lovely healthy food.

So sorry @Dechi that you have had the worst few days. I hope you will come out of that a.s.a.p. and feel a little better?

 

[gregh286]

Yea
Granny Smith seem.to benefit me.
I think it's the alkalising/neutralising effect on lactic.

 

[valentinelynx]

Apples and apple juice give me a stomach ache Oh well.