Study shows that a single apple can contain up to 100 million bacteria

From its plentiful amount of fiber to its sweet taste, litter, in addition to being delicious, brings numerous benefits to the body. It is a recent studypublished in the journal Frontiers in Microbiologyseems to have discovered one of the reasons: a single fruit unit contains up to 100 million bacteria.

Yes, it may even look disgusting and even unhealthy. But the point is that all these little animals help to regulate the bowel function.

How the search worked

About 1755 species of bacteria were found. And of the 100 million in total, the stem contained 9.5 million; the bark, 1.6 million; pulp 19.7 million; the seeds 37.7 million and the peduncle 22 million. And the organic versions they were sources of ecosystems far more diversified than the common ones.

Nutritionist Bruna Gardim, from Endoclínica, in São Paulo, explains that, just like the apple, we also have bacteria everywhere in the body, which we call microbiota. “The intestinal microbiota is one of the most important for our health, as it is in it that compounds such as fatty acidsvitamins B12 and K and folic acid,” she says.

Fatty acids, for example, are potent anti-inflammatories, help to improve Immunity and prevent diseases like cancer. “Each intestinal bacteria feeds on a different nutrient. The ones that do us the most good are those dependent on fibers (oats, green banana biomass, fruit peels, vegetables, whole grains)”, explains the nutritionist. That’s why the apple is considered an important ally of our diet.

Bruna also recalls that 70% of the body’s serotonin is produced in our intestines. That is: if he is not healthy, the brain will not be either. “A serotonin it is the hormone of well-being, pleasure and tranquility.”

And the story that the bark is the best part is true, see? “In the skin of the apple is found the insoluble fiber, responsible for improving intestinal transit. It has the function of sweeping the organ, throwing the feces that are standing there outside”, concludes Bruna.

But what are the other nutrients present in the apple?

Malic acid and pectin. While the first is essential to prevent the formation of stones in the gallbladder, the second is a fiber that, when associated with water, forms a gel and leaves the poop with a softer and fluffier texture.