Red-fleshed apples have health benefits.

Red-fleshed apples are apples with skin and flesh of the same colour. They belong to the Red Sun variety, derived from the commercial cultivation of the red-fleshed Redlove, which originates in Switzerland and in Catalonia is mainly grown in Mollerussa. This red fruit is rich in anthocyanins, pigments from the flavonoid family that have health benefits. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the University of Lleida, with the participation of other institutions, has revealed the benefits of eating these apples: they improve endothelial function, reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system in people with high cholesterol. The results were recently published in a scientific journal. Food and functions

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This study, conducted as part of the AppleCOR project, involved 121 people who were divided into three groups: one that consumed red-fleshed apples; one that consumed white-fleshed apples (which do not contain anthocyanins); and one that consumed an Aronia melanocarpa infusion, which has anthocyanin content equivalent to that of red-fleshed apples. The inclusion of this third group allowed us to test whether the effects of anthocyanins on people’s cardiovascular health varied depending on whether the anthocyanins were found in the apples or the infusion.

After six weeks, the results showed that Red-fleshed apples improve ischemic reactive hyperemiaa parameter used to assess endothelial function and vascular health that measures how well blood vessels dilate in response to restored blood flow. Among the group of people who ate red-fleshed apples, there was also decreased levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6

inflammation-related parameters. In addition, improvement of the lipid profile and decrease in complement system proteins and immunoglobulins. All of these indicators are associated with improved cardiovascular health and reduced chronic inflammation, which may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders, and other immune-related conditions.

Anthocyanin-rich chokeberry infusion also reduced inflammation and improved lipid profiles. However, the red-fleshed apple resulted in a greater reduction in inflammation, possibly due to the synergism of anthocyanins with other bioactive compounds present in the apple. Supplementation of the chokeberry infusion improved lipid profile modulation, which is thought to be due to greater bioavailability of the anthocyanins.

The study, conducted at the Eurecat facility in Reus, also found that white-fleshed apple and chokeberry infusion help improve the immune system’s response. They did this by modulating the expression of complement proteins and immunoglobulins, which are key components of the body’s defense against infection.

“The results of this study are important because they support the beneficial effects of anthocyanins provided by apple consumption on metabolic disorders and cardiovascular health.”– explains the research team. Based on the findings, there is also growing interest in new natural biofortified red-fleshed apple varieties as an interesting and attractive source of bioactive flavonoids with beneficial health effects.