Apple Tree: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Malus Communis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Pectin
Ursolic Acid
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Cognitive Decline ✪✪✪✪✪
In gemmotherapy, the apple tree is used to support cognitive functions. However, a clinical study shows that apple juice consumption does not improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease, although it may improve mood and behavior according to caregivers' assessments.
Posologie
Oral route: buds, fruit
gemmotherapy
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Dried apple consumption has demonstrated a reduction in cholesterol in postmenopausal adults, attributed to the pectin in apples that increases intestinal viscosity, reducing cholesterol reabsorption and stimulating bile production.
Posologie
Oral route: buds, fruit
gemmotherapy
Muscle Strength ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies on resistance-trained men show that an apple extract modestly increases lower body strength and power, as well as muscle cross-section, compared to a placebo.
Posologie
Oral route: fruit
Sexual Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
In gemmotherapy, the apple tree is appreciated for its effects on cerebral circulation and hormonal regulation, potentially positively influencing sexual functions by improving hormone secretion.
Posologie
Oral route: buds
gemmotherapy
Properties
Cardiovascular
Apples, particularly their polyphenol-rich skin, can help improve cardiovascular function. Polyphenols such as flavonoids and tannins are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce cardiovascular risk. A small clinical study in healthy patients showed that daily consumption of two apples with their skin improves endothelial function, evaluated by flow-mediated dilation, immediately and after four weeks, compared to apples without skin.
Hypocholesterolemic
The effect of apples on cholesterol varies depending on their form of consumption. The consumption of dried apples has been shown to lower cholesterol in postmenopausal women, likely due to the pectin present in apple fibers. This pectin increases intestinal viscosity, thereby reducing cholesterol reabsorption.
Usages associés
Musculoskeletal Effects
Ursolic acid, a triterpenoid found in apple skins, might influence muscle mass. Animal studies indicate an increase in muscle mass, exercise capacity, and grip strength following administration of ursolic acid. In humans, results are less evident, although a mixture with apple extract has shown an increase in plasma and muscle ATP.
Usages associés
Metabolic
Ursolic acid in apple peel could enhance metabolism. Animal research shows that ursolic acid increases the amount of brown fat, thus elevating calorie expenditure and improving glucose tolerance, while decreasing weight. In humans, results vary: whole apple consumption increases satiety and slows gastric emptying compared to apple juice, suggesting positive effects on metabolism and weight management.
Safety dosage
Adult: 40 drops (gemmotherapy)
Gemmotherapy: the dosage is 40 to 100 drops per day in a 2 to 3-month cycle. There is no established dosage for other formulations.
Interactions
Médicaments
Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP): strong interaction
The consumption of apple juice inhibits OATP, which reduces the bioavailability of oral medications that are OATP substrates, such as fexofenadine, atenolol, and aliskiren. Clinical studies have shown that co-administration of apple juice decreases the bioavailability of fexofenadine by up to 78%, aliskiren by up to 63%, and atenolol by up to 82%. It is recommended to separate medication intake and apple juice consumption by at least 4 hours to avoid this interaction.
