The genus Malus.

Rosaceae; Malus

Morphological habits: Deciduous trees, the height of which can reach 15 meters, are generally 3-5 meters high under cultivation conditions. The trunk is grayish brown, the old bark has irregular longitudinal cracks or flaking, and the branchlets are smooth. Simple leaves alternate, oval to ovoid, with serrated leaves. Corymb with white petals, pink buds, 20 stamens and 5 styles. Fruit is a kind of kernel, and its color and size vary with varieties. Like light, like slightly acidic to neutral soil. It is most suitable for sandy soil with deep soil layer, rich organic matter and good ventilation and drainage of core soil.

Reproduction by grafting. There are two kinds of rootstocks: arbor rootstocks and dwarf rootstocks. Commonly used tree rootstocks are Juglans mandshurica, Haitang Xifu and Vitex negundo, and dwarf rootstocks are mainly imported from Britain. Wide rows and close planting are adopted, and the behavior is north-south. The soil in southern China is planted before freezing in autumn and winter, and in northern China it is planted during thawing in spring. Apple is weak in self-fruiting, so pollination trees must be arranged when planting.

Resource distribution: native to Southeast Europe, Asia Minor and South Caucasus. 1870 was introduced to Yantai, China, and has been widely cultivated in the southeast of Northeast China, North China and Northwest China in recent years.

Garden use, flowering period for viewing; In the fruit-bearing season, fruits are numerous, colorful and attractive.

Apple originated in Europe, Central Asia, West Asia and Turkey, and was introduced to China in19th century.

"An apple a day" is a well-known health slogan. Indeed, apples are rich in sugars, organic acids, cellulose, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and flavonoids, and are called "all-round healthy fruits" by scientists. So, what health care function makes it win such a good reputation?

Hypolipidemic: The human experiment of Japan Fruit Research Institute showed that after eating two apples a day, the triglyceride level in subjects' blood decreased by 265,438+0% after three weeks, and the high triglyceride level was the chief culprit of arteriosclerosis. After apple pectin enters the human body, it can combine with bile acids, absorb excess cholesterol and triglycerides like a sponge, and then excrete it. At the same time, the acetic acid decomposed by apple is beneficial to the catabolism of these two substances. In addition, vitamins, fructose and magnesium in apples can also reduce their content.

Lowering blood pressure: Excessive sodium is an important factor causing hypertension and stroke. Apples contain enough potassium, which can be combined with excess sodium in the body and excreted, thus lowering blood pressure. At the same time, potassium ion can effectively protect blood vessels and reduce the incidence of hypertension and stroke. Dr Susan Arlich, a famous British pharmacologist, found that polyphenols and flavonoids contained in apples can effectively prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Prevention of cancer: A study by Hirosaki University in Japan confirmed that polyphenols in apples can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. A study in Finland is even more exciting: flavonoids contained in apples are an efficient antioxidant, not only the best vascular cleaner, but also the bane of cancer. If people eat more apples, the risk of lung cancer can be reduced by 46%, and the risk of other cancers can also be reduced by 20%. The latest research by the French National Institute of Health Medicine also tells us that proanthocyanidins in apples can prevent colon cancer.

Antioxidant effect: The research team of Cornell University in the United States soaked the brain cells of mice in a liquid containing quercetin and vitamin C, and found that the antioxidant capacity of brain cells was significantly enhanced. Compared with other fruits and vegetables, quercetin in apples is the best, and red apples are better than yellow apples and green apples. Therefore, apples are the best food for patients with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Strengthening bones: apples contain mineral elements boron and manganese that can strengthen bones. A study in the United States found that boron can greatly increase the concentration of estrogen and other compounds in the blood, which can effectively prevent calcium loss. Medical experts believe that if menopausal women can consume 3 grams of boron every day, their calcium loss rate can be reduced by 46%, and menopausal women eat more apples, which is beneficial to the absorption and utilization of calcium and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Maintain acid-base balance: 70% of diseases occur in people with acidic constitution, and apples are alkaline foods. Eating apples can quickly neutralize excessive acidic substances in the body (including acid produced by exercise and acidic metabolites produced by acidic foods such as fish, meat and eggs), and enhance physical strength and disease resistance.

Lose weight: apples will increase satiety, and eating before meals can reduce food intake and achieve the purpose of losing weight.

As for whether to peel the apple, that's a matter of opinion. If you don't peel them, you may eat them.

Pesticide, peeling, the most nutritious part of apple is the skin, and most of the fiber is also in the skin.

Eating apples raw can not only get the above benefits, but also regulate the stomach, because it is rich in fiber and helps to excrete. On the other hand, it is good for people with diarrhea to eat it, because malic acid has astringent effect, but it should be noted that if it is chronic diarrhea with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, apples must be wrapped in tin foil. H cook or simmer before eating.

Apples are rich in nutrition and low in calories, so they are very popular with dieters. In dietotherapy, boiling water with apple peel and ginger slices can stop vomiting. Using apples with pears can reduce the coldness of pears and have the effect of strengthening the lungs and moistening the stomach. In autumn syrup, some apples and pears are used, and lily 1 (30g), Dendrobium 5 (15g) and apricot 3 (9g) are added to moisten the lungs and relieve cough.