By Lubna Abdel-Aziz "If it were not for the apple, we would all be in heaven", goes an old Arabic song. Poor apple! Identified by most historians as the "forbidden fruit", which Eve used to tempt Adam, it is blamed for all the woes of mankind. There is no mention in Genesis or the Koran of 'the apple'; simply of the 'fruit of the forbidden tree'. Some historians believe it to be the grape, others the fig, but most have settled on the apple as the evil fruit that banished man out of the Garden of Eden. As a result of Adam's fall, the apple has become a symbol of temptation, seduction, sin and knowledge. Present day scientists can well add high nutrition to the list. Man must have a natural penchant for the apple, by instinct, or perhaps for all that it represents. He has been eating the fruit for at least two and a half million years, as revealed by ruins of the Neolithic and Stone Ages. Anthropologists found charcoal remains of apples in villages around Europe. In Egypt, Babylon and China, early records mention the art of budding and grafting fruit trees, more than 20 centuries ago. There is also evidence to show that apples were eaten and preserved for slicing and sun- drying, during the Stone Age. By 300 BC, the Greeks were already growing several varieties of apples, so were the Romans. Is it any wonder that the Latin word for 'apple' and 'evil' is the same--"malus", taken from the Greek. Legends abound around that seductive fruit. They appear in stories, songs, poems and religious books. Was it not the apple that launched the principle of gravity! It was the falling apple that inspired Sir Isaac Newton to investigate the effect of gravity. In 1687, the British mathematician, published his great work "Principle Mathematica". He showed for the first time that gravity was a force, and that the laws governing gravity, both caused the apple to fall from the tree, and dictated the path of the Moon around the Earth, and of the planets around the Sun. Albert Einstein extended on Newton's principle of gravity with his Theory of Relativity. Another Apple legend is that of Johnny Appleseed of Massachussetts, a folk hero and pioneer apple farmer in the new world. Johnny Appleseed however, did exist. His name was John Chapman,(1774-1845). His dream was for the land to produce so many apples, that no one would ever go hungry. He collected apple seeds from cider mills, dried them, divided them in bags and distributed them to immigrants. He walked alone in the wilderness, was scantily clad summer and winter, without shoes, except in the severest weather. Who has not heard of the Swiss hero William Tell? Arrested by a tyrant who promises Tell his freedom only if he shoots an apple off his son's head. Tell does so successfully, saving his son and gaining his freedom. So maddened was he, he kills the tyrant with another arrow. There are approximately 10,000 different kinds of varieties of apples grown worldwide. Apples are consumed voraciously in the US, CanadaRussia and 27 European countries. Their annual consumption is 12.6 kilograms per capita. They are surpassed by the Turks who have the highest apple consumption. Would you believe 31.6 kilograms per capita? What do they know that we do not? General health can gain greatly if apples are included in the diet, and here is why.... A single apple has approximately 1500 mg. of Vitamin C, giving the immune system a boost. Apple skin contains high fibre, which adds roughage to the diet, aiding in digestion. The skin of an apple contains' querecetin', an antioxidant that has been shown to lower the risk of heart-disease, and even prevent the cell changes that lead to cancer. Early humans were wise indeed! They never heard of anti-oxidants, but did partake copiously of the apple tree. Apples have anti-viral properties that help detoxify the body. A recent study has shown that 2 apples a day can reduce the risk of Type II diabetes, COPD, stroke, respiratory disease and some types of cancer and asthma. Apples are so versatile, and add flavor, cooked in pies, cakes, fowl stuffing, or raw in salads, like the famous Waldorf creation. Apple cider is a children's favourite, so is applesauce and apple jelly. Apple wine and apple vinegar are popular in Eastern Europe. Some grades of apples are canned, dried or frozen. What else can you say about apples! It seems that the apple has done its best to make up for its original sin, and become appealing, pleasing and beneficial to the human race. In this New Year, how many of us wish to shed a few kilograms gained during the holidays? Apples are the answer. Fat- free, sodium- free and cholesterol-free, they are low in calories and high in fibre. This helps in weight loss and weight maintenance. The best way to eat an apple is to sink your teeth in its smooth skin and flesh. Ideal for crunching, it cleans your teeth and strengthens your gums, as an added favour. Apples also contain "boron", which helps harden bones. Beautiful in colour and fragrance, apples last longest when stored in the refrigerator. Condemned for its seductive features, the apple has repented, by providing man with all that is healthy and delicious. Partake of the fruit, for "to err is human", but" to forgive, divine"! An apple a day keeps the doctor away -- Anonymous (saying current since the 19thcentury)
