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Diet and Health: Apple Polyphenols as Antioxidants

2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 24; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/87559120801926302

8755-9129

Elżbieta Biedrzycka, Ryszard Amarowicz,

Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress

The traditional American rhyme says, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." What has made apples exceptional and appreciated for a million years? Besides their content of pectin, vitamins and minerals, they are considered to be a good source of antioxidants that scavenge and neutralize free radicals, which in turn play a role in the onset of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Polyphenols are major antioxidants in apples, however, the antioxidants vary with the apple variety, and the post-harvest storage conditions. Further, the polyphenols are distributed differently throughout the fruit (skin or flesh). The paper reviews the present knowledge on apple polyphenols, their bioavailability and pro-health functionality.