Heating apples significantly softens dietary fiber, making it easier for the body to absorb. There's no need to worry about vitamin loss during cooking. The nutrients in apples can help smooth and soften skin. Additionally, apples can alleviate diarrhea, offering a dietary therapy or complementary treatment for children with diarrhea or dysentery at home. This approach often reassures mothers more than medication.Apples also help alleviate insomnia. Rich in phosphorus and iron, they are easily absorbed by the intestinal walls, nourishing the brain, enriching the blood, and calming the mind. Heating significantly increases the content of natural antioxidant polyphenols in apples, which not only lower blood sugar and lipids but also inhibit free radicals, combat oxidation, and suppress elevated plasma cholesterol. However, simply boiling apples can be a bit monotonous. So, how else can apples be enjoyed?
Apple Kumquat Drink Recipe: 1 apple, 15 kumquats, 100g washed carrots. Chop carrots, juice them, bring the juice to a boil, then add honey to taste. Benefits: Enjoy warm in the morning and evening. The sweet-tart flavor aids digestion, regulates qi, and dissolves phlegm.
Apple Yam Soup.Method: Peel and dice 500g apples. Combine with 30g yam and 30g malt in a pot. Add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 1.5 hours. Benefits: Enjoy warm morning and evening. Add a little sugar for flavor. Nourishes the spleen and stomach, aids digestion, and prevents diarrhea.
Apple Pork Meatballs. Method: Finely chop half an apple. Tear a slice of bread into pieces. Combine with the apple, one egg, and ground pork to form meatballs. Cook in a pan. Benefits: Deliciously savory yet light. Provides rich protein from pork and pectin from apples, helping stabilize blood plasma cholesterol levels.
Apple Rehmannia Honey Drink. Preparation: Simmer 15g of Rehmannia root to extract 200ml of liquid. Wash, peel, and core one apple; chop finely and juice. Combine with the Rehmannia liquid, then stir in 30g of honey. Benefits: Taken twice daily (morning and evening), it nourishes yin, tonifies the kidneys, promotes bowel regularity, clears heat, and alleviates mental distress.
When cooking apples, use a stainless steel pot and simmer over low heat to maximize retention of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, preventing significant loss during cooking.