Autumn is here, bringing with it beautiful colours and crisp, fresh air. It's the perfect time to indulge in the delicious fruits and vegetables that are in season.
One of the stars of this time of year is the apple, which is at its best in autumn. Not only are apples packed with flavour, but they also offer a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and fibre that support your gut health. Can enjoying an apple a day can be a simple way to maintain your health?
Seasonal foods are rich in nutrients – and so much more
As the seasons change, so does the availability of fresh produce. Choosing seasonal fruits and vegetables means eating food that is harvested at its peak, when it is most flavourful and packed with nutrients. This practice harks back to ancient farming traditions, when people ate what they grew locally.
Seasonal foods tend to have higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals, and they are often easier to find locally, which can potentially mean fewer pesticides and chemicals.
Local, in-season produce is also beneficial for the environment. Because it doesn’t have to travel far, it helps reduce CO2 emissions associated with transportation. Plus, eating locally grown food is often more affordable, as it involves less storage and transportation costs, which benefits both your health and your wallet.
Try out some of these great gut-friendly recipes
Enjoy apples in season – organic if possible
Autumn is the ideal time to enjoy the crisp, juicy goodness of apples. Apples are the most widely consumed fruit in the world, and it's easy to see why with their wide variety – from Gala to Red Delicious and Granny Smith. There’s truly an apple for everyone.
Packed with antioxidants, water, fibre, and vitamins, apples are a nutritious addition to your diet. They are also a great source of fibre, which helps you maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
Apples also contain pectin, a type of fibre that nourishes beneficial bacteria in the gut. This makes apples an ideal prebiotic food, providing support for the friendly bacteria in your digestive system.
Recent studies have also shown that apples contain a range of bacteria that contribute to maintaining a healthy gut. The seeds, stem, and pulp of an apple are home to millions of bacteria, and organic apples tend to have a greater variety of beneficial species, such as Lactobacillus, which supports gut health. By eating apples, you’re not only benefiting from their fibre content but also from the bacteria they contain, which may help maintain your gut health.
So, why not relax and enjoy the season? Light some candles, cosy up, and treat yourself to some delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables – or maybe an apple pie.
