This Easy Apple Hack Could Improve Your Digestive Health
A UK-based surgeon has shared a simple kitchen tip that could significantly improve digestive health: gently cooking apples. According to the expert, this method makes the fruit’s natural fibre easier for the gut to use, helping reduce inflammation and support a healthier digestive system. For anyone looking to improve stewed apples’ gut health, this small change could make a meaningful difference.
Apples are already known for being fibre-rich, but when they are lightly stewed, their gut-friendly properties become even more effective. This easy preparation transforms a common fruit into a soothing, microbiome-supporting food that is especially helpful for people with sensitive digestion.
Why a UK Surgeon Recommends Stewed Apples
Dr Karan Rajan, a surgeon and widely followed health educator, recently explained that apples contain a soluble fibre called pectin, which plays a key role in gut health. However, in raw apples, much of this fibre is locked inside rigid plant cell walls.
When apples are gently simmered in water, the heat softens these cell walls. As a result, pectin becomes more accessible and easier for gut bacteria to ferment. This is why stewed apples’ gut health benefits may be stronger than eating apples raw, especially for people with digestive issues.
What Changes When Apples Are Stewed?
Cooking apples slowly in water causes several helpful changes:
- The apple’s cell structure breaks down
- Pectin becomes more soluble and bioavailable
- Fibre is easier for gut bacteria to digest
- Natural compounds are released more effectively
In simple terms, stewing “pre-digests” part of the fibre, allowing the gut to use it more efficiently.
Additional Health Benefits Beyond Fibre
Once the fibre from stewed apples reaches the gut, friendly bacteria ferment it. This process produces short-chain fatty acids, which are essential for gut health. These compounds help:
- Reduce inflammation in the digestive tract
- Strengthen the gut lining
- Support overall gut barrier function
Because the fibre is already partially broken down, stewed apples are also gentler on digestion. This makes them a useful option for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, or a sensitive stomach.
Conclusion
Stewing apples is a simple cooking method that can unlock more of their digestive benefits. By making fibre easier to absorb and supporting healthy gut bacteria, stewed apples may help lower inflammation, reduce bloating, and strengthen gut health, all without changing what you eat, just how you prepare it.
Source:Â Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 25 December 2025
- 13:00
