It’s called the Pendragon apple, and it’s been grown in England since
the 12th century.
“Of all the organic varieties, Pendragon was the best apple variety and
contained seven of the eight kinds of healthy components at the highest
levels,” said pharmacist Michael Wakeman, who, like most of the people quoted
on the internet, does not get specific enough and it annoys me. At least, the
sound bites all sound too general. What are the components, man?
information I found. The apples were tested for a range of plant
compounds which have been linked to reducing cholesterol, inflammation and
blood sugar levels. They also had anti-cancer properties, which we’re always
for.
And here’s something interesting. The fact that they (organic apples I
mean) aren’t grown with pesticides, means that they have to naturally develop
more immunity to bugs and pests. Those compounds that the apples naturally
develop to protect themselves are the very ones that are the healthy ones. This
is Here’s a little more information I found. The apples were tested for a range
of plant compounds which have been linked to reducing cholesterol, inflammation
and blood sugar levels. They also had anti-cancer properties, which we’re
always for.
And here’s something interesting. The fact that they (organic apples I
mean) aren’t grown with pesticides, means that they have to naturally develop
more immunity to bugs and pests. Those compounds that the apples naturally
develop to protect themselves are the very ones that are the healthy ones. This
is theoretical, but it sounds logical, and could prove to be correct with a
little more research. We’ll keep you updated.
His findings come just weeks after the Food Standards Agency found
little, if any, nutritional difference between organic and non-organic foods.
“This research confirms that while some measures of organic versus
non-organic food benefits might appear equivocal, more sophisticated analysis
of compounds which are newly recognized as being of importance to good health
do show a significant difference.” Until the next study comes out of course.
My opinion is that this is less of an issue of personal health than it
is an issue of planetary health. It just seems right that plants should be
protecting themselves instead of being pesticided to death, and the planet
doesn’t seem to like when people do that too much.
The Pendragon is not available to buy in supermarkets and had to be
obtained by the researchers from a private orchard that specializes in
conserving old varieties of fruit.
The anti-cancer compounds the apples were tested for are called phenols,
which evidence shows may fight the development of lung cancer.