An English proverb says: "Eat 1 apple a day and you will be healthy." Apples are very healthy fruits, which, moreover, are available to almost everyone. Today we will talk about baked apples - are they useful, how do they affect various human organs and processes, as well as the rules and regulations for using such a product.
Calorie and chemical composition
Baked apples are often used in dietary or therapeutic nutrition - because they have the caloric content of the whole 47 kcal per 100 grams.
Of course, there are different ways of cooking this product: with the addition of honey, sugar, cinnamon. Energy value of 100 grams of a product then it will be:
- with honey - 75 kcal;
- with cinnamon - 56 kcal;
- with cottage cheese - 82 kcal;
- with sugar - 91 kcal.
Ratio BJU baked apples cooked in pure form (without sugar, honey and other things) will be 0.4: 0.4: 9.9 (in grams).
We advise you to read about the benefits of apples and application in various industries, as well as to get acquainted with the recipes for harvesting apples: jam and jam, compotes and juice.
The composition of the baked apple includes:
- vitamins: A, groups B, C, E, H, PP. Most of all contains pyridoxine (B6), which is vital for the normal functioning of the body;
- minerals: iodine, nickel, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, boron, rubidium and others;
- organic acids;
- starch;
- disaccharides.
Did you know? In ancient Greece, a man threw an apple in her direction to express her feelings to a woman, and a woman, if she felt mutual sympathy, caught him.
What are baked apples useful for?
Although the process of heat treatment somewhat reduces the benefits of the product, compared to its fresh counterpart, baked apples still remain very useful fruits. 
For the heart and blood vessels
One of the main properties of a baked fruit in relation to human heart activity is activation of the heart muscle. Due to the high content of potassium (it is almost a panacea for the heart system), it normalizes the acid-base balance in the blood, and somewhat dilates the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the heart, and thus increasing its activity. This is especially important for older people - the use of fruit in the liver does not worry about the work of the heart.
For liver and kidney
This product has a beneficial effect on the performance of the kidneys - it removes fine sand from this organ, reduces puffiness and improves overall well-being. Due to their regulatory properties, apples remove excess cholesterol, easing the load on this vital organ.
Read also about the medicinal properties and the preparation of whole and dried apples.
For the stomach and intestines
Perhaps the most beneficial effect of this baked fruit is on the walls of the stomach and intestines - due to its texture, it gently cleanses the digestive system, preventing the occurrence of gastritis, stomach ulcers and other diseases. Baked apples are also regulate the acid balance of the stomach, and help to cope with heartburn and colic. 
Baked fruit is also used in case of poisoning or intoxication of the body - due to the fact that apples are 75% water, they clean the gastric tract well, ridding it of toxins and removing harmful substances. Baked apple cooking method allows people with severe bowel disease (tumors, peptic ulcer disease, etc.) to safely use this sweetness, moreover, the fruit will help alleviate the painful condition.
Important! The healing properties of a baked apple are largely dependent on its variety - in order to increase the acidity of the stomach, you need to eat sour apples (“White filling”, “Semerenko”, “Idared”, etc.), and for reducing acidity - sweet ( "Korobovka", "Sugar Miron", "Shine alai", etc.).
For sight
Useful components of a baked apple perfectly protect the organs of vision from degenerative processes that appear with age - they improve the condition of the retina, prevent various eye infections, and even improve vision. Basically, it is the merit of vitamin A - it can improve the membranes of the mucous membrane of the eye at a cellular level.
For teeth
A high concentration of phosphorus and calcium (active components of a baked apple) can qualitatively improve the condition of tooth enamel. Minerals help reduce plaque, eliminate tooth sensitivity, and prevent tooth decay. Vitamin A also affects the strength of teeth - it is clinically proven: people who consumed baked apples at least 5 times a week had much less problems with tooth loss. 
For skin
Such a baked product can affect the condition of the skin from the inside (iron and magnesium in the composition of the apple improves the skin at the cellular level and prevents the occurrence of various pigmentation), and outside - in folk medicine used a lot of recipes based on baked apples. Various masks and balms are able to heal the skin from such severe lesions as acne and allergic rashes, psoriasis and dermatitis. Masks of baked apples perfectly moisturize and cleanse the skin - no wonder such effects of the fruit were sung in the Russian folk art (the well-known tale of rejuvenating apples).
Learn how to keep apples fresh until spring.
Is it possible
Disputes around the benefits and harm of apples do not subside to this day, but this applies only to fresh fruit. Whether baked apples cause harm - let's try to figure it out.
During pregnancy
Such baked fruits are not only harmful for women in position, but also extremely beneficial due to the unique concentration of beneficial substances. Moreover, apples cooked by roasting will help to cope with the symptoms. toxicosiswill relieve bloating, normalize stools and reduce acidity, which will ultimately eliminate heartburn, which future moms suffer so often. 
Also, this fruit strengthens muscle muscles and blood vessels, which will allow the body to more easily cope with a heavy load.
Did you know? Almost every second fruit tree on earth is an apple tree: according to statistics, apple trees occupy more than 5 million hectares of land.
Breastfeeding
If fresh apples for young mothers can be eaten only 2-3 months after the baby was born, then the baked ones are recommended to be consumed from the first days after birth. And the matter is not only that the product improves the functioning of the intestines and stomach, strengthens weakened hair, teeth and nails - this fruit also nourishes the body with useful elements in large quantities. Moreover, it does not cause allergic reactions, so you can not be afraid to feed your baby with breast milk.
When losing weight
For those who want to put a figure in order to eat baked apples is not only possible but necessary - today there are many diets and mono-diets based on the use of this fruit, as well as entire menus for fasting days with an apple at the head. Most modern diets are built in such a way that the body receives a minimum of food and, accordingly, nutrients - however, with a baked apple, this problem is not terrible. 
From this product, the body receives not only a sufficient amount of amino acids, but also draws energy for the normal operation of all functional systems. The apples remove excess toxins and fats, affect the well-being and raise the mood better than bitter chocolate.
With diabetes
Today, doctors unanimously agree that a baked apple is the best useful sweetness for diabetics - with such heat treatment it retains the maximum of its beneficial substances. These fruits help fight fatigue, circulatory disorders and digestive ailments, bad mood and even premature aging. A small amount of disaccharides in the liver of an apple does not increase the total blood sugar level, and therefore such a product can be used by diabetics.
Important! Insulin-dependent diabetics of 1 degree use apples in the liver as a snack is highly undesirable. It is better to use them as a dessert after the main course: in this case, the sucrose present in the composition will be used to process the main food, and not to saturate the blood with sugar.
From what age can children
Baked apples - best dessert for kids: thanks to natural fructose, this product is well absorbed in a young body and does not harm tooth enamel. This product can be used by children of all ages - babies it is administered as a supplement from 3-4 months after birth. 
Usage features
Like any other product, this dish has its own nuances in terms of consumption, which we consider below.
What is combined
This baked sweet is perfectly combined with various dried fruits, nuts, cottage cheese, sour cream, sugar, honey, sweet syrup. In different countries, baked apples are consumed with different additives - so, in America, this dish, sprinkled with maple syrup, is loved to eat along with pancakes at festive meals as a dessert.
In Russia and Ukraine, the traditional additive to such a product is honey and dried fruits. However, people who stick to a diet, or who want to keep a figure, should use sweet supplements in minimal amounts: they can significantly increase the calorie content of the dish.
We advise you to read about the beneficial properties and the use of different types of honey: phacelia, rapeseed, linden, acacia, buckwheat, chestnut, sweet clover, acacia, esparceti, hawthorn, boiled, black-boned, May.
How much can a day
Such a product for a healthy person, in principle, has no restrictions in use - there will be no harm, even if you eat 10-15 baked apples. But it is better to follow a reasonable measure: 5 medium-sized pieces per day will be more than enough. Young children and those with a predisposition to diabetes should eat no more than 3, and diabetics of 1 and 2 degrees can have no more than 2 apples a day together with the main meal. 
Is it possible on an empty stomach and at night
On an empty stomach, this product is used only for medicinal purposes to clean the intestines. It is best to eat such a dish as a dessert, after eating the main meal. At night, the use is also possible, but in small quantities: it is better not to load the digestive system by working at night. In addition, such a dish can give an easy laxative effectwhich only hinders your night sleep.
Did you know? The role of the forbidden fruit from the paradise tree of the knowledge of good and evil, in addition to the apple, is also claimed by pomegranate, grapes and figs.
Cooking recipes
After considering the properties and nuances of using this product, we will get acquainted with the best recipes for its preparation.
With honey and cinnamon
To prepare this dish, we need:
- apples (better than green varieties) - 6-7 pieces;
- honey - 6 teaspoons;
- cinnamon - 6 teaspoons;
- walnuts (optional) - 2 teaspoons.
On the shelves of our stores more often than not actually cinnamon, and cassia, or Chinese cinnamon (trade name).
Cooking:
- Washed apples pricked in the whole area with a fork or knife.
- Cut the core, leaving the bottom (this is necessary so that the honey does not flow out).
- Put the fruit in a baking dish (if on a baking sheet - then cover it with parchment).
- Pour 1 teaspoon of honey into the cut holes and add nuts (optional).
- Sprinkle with cinnamon on top and send to the oven for 20 minutes at 190 °.
- Put the finished product on a plate, sprinkle with powdered sugar and decorate with mint leaves.
With dried fruits and nuts
Ingredients:
- dried fruits (any that are available - raisins, dates, figs) - 5 tablespoons;
- apples sour varieties - 5 pieces;
- a mixture of nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc.) - 5 teaspoons;
- ginger powder - 2-3 tsp;
- liquid honey or any syrup - to serve.
Learn how to make raisins, dried bananas, prunes at home, and read about the beneficial properties of nuts: peanuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, cedar nuts, Brazilian.
Cooking:
- Dried fruits pour warm water for 15 minutes, then dry them and chop finely.
- Rinse the apples, chop with a fork and carefully remove the core (leaving the bottom)
- Stuff the fruit with a mixture of sliced dried fruits and nuts. Tightly tamp.
- Each apple is wrapped in foil, leaving a small hole on top.
- Put the product in a preheated 180 ° oven for half an hour.
- After removing the dish, you need to unfold the foil and put the product on a plate. Top you can pour honey or syrup.
With cottage cheese
To prepare such a dish will need:
- apples - 4 pieces;
- low-fat cottage cheese - 200 grams;
- liquid honey - 2 tbsp. spoons;
- walnuts - on request.
Cooking:
- Wash fruit, dry and carefully cut the core (leaving the bottom). Cut the top "cover" save.
- Prepare the stuffing - mash the cottage cheese together with the cut heart of apples in a blender (remove the bones and the hard partitions).
- Add honey and nuts to the ground filling.
- Stuff apples with the resulting mass, close the "lid."
- Put in the oven, preheated to 180 ° for 25-30 minutes.
- Take out a hot dish, put it on a plate and pour the remaining honey on top. Decorate with nuts.
Contraindications and harm
This product has very few contraindications. It is not recommended to use baked fruit in large quantities to people who have digestive problems: Fiber that has been taken up in large quantities into the stomach can make digestion difficult. Sufferers of colic and frequent abdominal distension also should not exceed the daily rate of use of this product - a rough composition of fiber will only exacerbate problems with the intestinal tract.
This product does not bring any harm at all - as of today, its negative effects on the body have not been revealed. Of course, if you eat a lot of oven apples, the unpleasant consequences can not be avoided - the work of the digestive system will be disturbed, and there will be heaviness and bloating. Therefore, in order not to harm yourself, you need to adhere to the daily rate of use. 
So, we can conclude that baked apples are truly unique sweetness, which is equally suitable for both babies and elderly people who have disorders in the digestive process. They will improve the immune system, will raise your spirits and give vitality.
