Yes! But only if you throw it at him. And the dentist too.

The dangers of excess sugar consumption are well documented. Excessive sugar consumption is believed to be involved in many common health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, indigestion, myopia, seborrheic dermatitis, gout, lack of concentration, hyperactivity, depression and anxiety. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Is eating a single apple bad for you? Probably not. That is because of the polyphenols that are found in apples. Polyphenols were once known as Vitamin P. However, they were quickly found out to be non-essential and reclassified. The health benefits of specific polyphenols, such as quercetin are well-established, and there are less well-established claims of health benefits from all types of polyphenols. Research indicates that polyphenols may have antioxidant characteristics with potential health benefits. So why am I picking on apples?

Researchers have found that the polyphenols, the compounds that are the major source of antioxidants in apples, are five times more prevalent in the apple skin than in the apple flesh itself. The substance that is “bad” for you, sugar, is found in the flesh of the apple. Even though the media portrays fat as the main culprit in the development of several diseases (i.e., heart disease), it is sugar, not fat, that appears to be the real villain.

So can I argue that eating apple skin is bad for you? No. But are you really going to peel an apple to eat it? And in that regard, of the apples tested for polyphenol content in the skin, the most polyphenols were found in Red Delicious apples. The least were found in the Empire Apple.

It was revealed that apples can be as bad for your teeth as sweets and cola drinks. Why? New research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the typical modern apple now has a sugar content of up to 15 per cent, which means it contains the equivalent of four teaspoons of sugar. This is not good news if you’re a diabetic or trying (like you should be) to limit sugar consumption.

Today, sweeter varieties of apples such as Pink Lady, Brae burn and Fuji are increasingly popular among US consumers. The apple's sugar content has risen by up to 50 per cent over the last decade, with new breeds of apples arriving on the shelves of US supermarkets which have been cross-bred to give a sweeter taste.

Dental experts are warning that the fruit should no longer be treated as a snack between meals because of its high level of sugar and acidity which erode teeth. In fact, the British Dental Association is advising that the safest approach is to eat apples only at mealtimes --and then rinse out the mouth with water to minimize tooth damage. While it is widely recognized that sugar can cause tooth decay, the threat posed by acids, which strip away tooth enamel, is less well-known.

An Apple a Day for me? Only if I need target practice.

Contact Information:
Ken Romeo, Ph.D., M.D., A.M.
Doctor Romeo’s Exotic Medicines from Around the World, LLC
359 Cheney Street
Reno NV 89502
775-329-4900
E-Mail: DrKenRomeo@aol.com

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Dr. Romeo is a professional member of the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), a non-profit organization representing the interests of the millions of LBGT patients throughout North America who seek quality in healthcare access and delivery. GLMA promotes quality health care for HIV positive people and supports members challenged by discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.