AN APPLE A DAY

 

 

 

APPLES – THE HIDDEN TRUTH

 

Munching on an apple is certainly a better alternative than chocolate and cake but surprising new research is showing that that there could be a lot more to these common fruits than we realised.

 

Apples have been discovered to contain an ingredient that is getting obesity researchers very interested.  This compound, found in all apples, is ursolic acid which is contained within the apple skin. 

 

Studies so far have only been done on mice, rather than humans, but the results are surprising and very encouraging.  As in groups of mice which ate higher quantities of calories but were also given a small dose of ursolic acid (less than would be found in an apple) gained less weight and were also stronger and able to do more exercise.  In fact the mice in this group demonstrated a better overall body composition.  Not only that but the mice tested with ursolic acid also had a faster metabolic rate and greater fat burning ability. 

 

Some go so far as to suggest that ursolic acid can also help with muscle growth and development, or at the very least assist against atrophy which everyone experiences as they age. 

 

Although there are only limited trials on humans so far, one such study from Korea does support the findings of weight loss and increased strength and muscle capacity when tested over 8 weeks.  Despite the shortage of research to confirm these early findings, once these results are released into the fitness community more studies should quickly be available as if there’s one thing that fitness professionals and serious body builders can’t get enough of it’s a way of increasing muscle definition while accelerating fat loss. 

 

It’s worth bearing in mind that aerobic exercise also stimulates the release of certain fat burning hormones.  So it could be proved that a combination of ursolic acid and exercise may have benefits for fat loss and increased strength – although more research is needed. 

 

So an apple a day keeps the Doctor away – that we know (maybe) – but anticipated new research may also provide proof that an apple a day could help you drop a dress size.  Fingers crossed.   

 

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