NUTRITION
Glycemic Index (GI) and Apples
GI values are a measure of 1 to 100 where pure glucose has a value of 100. Many carbohydrate-rich foods have been tested and applied against the index. A value of 50 (for example) indicates that the food has an effect on blood sugar equal to half that of glucose.
Apples at 38 on the index are low GI (low GI is less than 55). Many sweet and tropical fruit are higher in GI including mangoes, watermelon, pineapple apricots and nectarines.
When it comes to a fresh, delicious, convenient, healthy, snack, dessert or ingredient it is hard to go past a New Zealand apple.
The Glycemic Index (GI) measures the effect of foods on your blood sugar levels. Eating foods with a high glycemic index value will raise the blood sugar level more dramatically than foods with a low glycemic index value.
High glucose levels are associated with increases in weight, desensitization of the body to insulin and overwork of the pancreas and may contribute to heart disease.
The modern diet is full of high GI processed convenience foods. Combined with our sedentary lives a high GI diet is connected to many serious diseases.
Low glycemic diets and low glycemic foods are friendlier on the body. They promote a more moderate rise in blood glucose level which is sustained over a longer period of time. They help control huger and weight, are gentler on the pancreas and help with the steady release of energy into the body.
Antioxidants
A review of the antioxidant content of New Zealand apples showed that of the bi-coloured (green and red) apple varieties including Braeburn, Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and others, JAZZ had they highest antioxidant content. Overall red apples such as Pacific Rose and Red Delicious had the highest measured antioxidant content.
Fiber
Obesity/Weight Management - Apple appears to assist in weight management. The mechanism is not clear but may be due to the relatively high fiber content of apple or the presently unknown mechanisms associated with satiety.
Vitamins
JAZZ™ Apples appear to have higher levels of vitamin C than everyday apples.
Global Gap
100% of ENZA Apple Growers have been GLOBALGAP certified since 2002. This means that behind the scenes on orchards around the country New Zealand growers are meeting international quality standards recognised in more than 100 countries across the world. The standards are designed to translate consumer and retailer quality and safety requirements to on orchard (or farm) practices.
GLOBALGAP is a pre-farm-gate standard, which means that the certificate covers the process of the certified product from farm inputs like feed or seedlings and all the farming activities until the product leaves the farm.
Find out more at http://www.globalgap.org.
Apple Futures
The unique Apple Futures Programme is designed by the New Zealand apple and pear industry to grow fruit with the minimum synthetic inputs. The outcome is the world’s cleanest, safest, high quality apples produced in a sustainable manner.
The Apple Futures programme is focused on establishing a combination of management techniques and products that are gentle on fruit, land and people, which target specific pests and diseases where they occur.
Practically this means growers use less, longer life products to control problems in the orchard. Extensive use of pest and beneficial organism monitoring and biological control is used during the season along with cultural controls applied during, post harvest and over tree dormancy. This activity ensures the minimum number of applications of products required to control pests.
Sources
S. W. Rizkalla et al (2002), Health benefits of low glycaemic index foods, such as pulses, in diabetic patients and healthy individuals. British Journal of Nutrition 88, Suppl. 3, S255–S262
McGhie TK (2006), Health enhancing and nutritionally active components of Scifresh Apples, Report to ENZA Limited, HortResearch Client Report No. 19386
HortResearch Contract No. 20840.
McGhie TK et al (2005), Cultivar and Growing Region Determine the Antioxidant Polyphenolic Concentration and Composition of Apples Grown in New Zealand, Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, 53, 3065-3070 3065.