Ask the EN Experts: Antibiotics in Apples; Passionfruit Peel for Joint Health
Q: Are antibiotics in apples a health concern?
A: Apple growers use antibiotic pesticides on trees to fight bacterial diseases that damage trees. But there are two potential concerns: One is the use of antibiotic pesticides in orchards, which may lead to resistant bacte-ria. This in turn can reduce the effectiveness of the same antibiotics used to treat humans. A lesser-known concern, but not less important, is the potential for allergic reactions to antibiotic residues in fruits. One 2010 European study found that streptomycin (an antibiotic) residues were detected in apples three months after its application as a pesticide. A 2014 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunolo-gy documented a case of anaphylactic shock that was likely caused by eating streptomy-cin-contaminated blueberries. The same study, however, concludes that antibiotic-related allergic reactions in foods are very rare. Scientists note that further research is necessary to assess the risk of allergic sensitization or reactions to low concentrations of antibiotics in foods. If you wish to avoid antibiotic pesticides, you can choose organic apples, as the allowance for organic apple and pear growers to use antibiotic pesticides in or-ganic production expired in October 2014. For more information, see: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/306/organic-and-beyond.
—Christine McCullum-Gomez, PhD, RD
Q: Can passionfruit peel help my joints?
A: If you have painful knee, hip and shoulder joints you’re not alone; many Americans seek relief from arthritis-related joint pain. While several dietary supplements may claim to ease joint pain, they don’t always have science-backed benefits. And now passionfruit (Passiflora edulis), which has shown promise in reducing hypertension and asthma, has been explored for joint pain relief, too. A 2010 study published in Nutrition Research showed that pain and stiffness were reduced by 18 percent after 60 days of taking passionfruit peel supplement (150 milligrams.) This may be due to passion-fruit’s plant flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, more re-search is needed to understand passionfruit’s role in joint health.
Passionfruit is available as fresh fruit, fruit juice concentrate or frozen puree, in addition to supplements. Feel free to incorporate this exotic fruit into your diet. However, your best bet to lessen joint pain is a holistic approach: Exercise to strengthen muscles that support the joints and increase flexibility, and eat an an-ti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, fruits, omega-3 fats found in foods like fish and walnuts, whole grains, and anti-inflammatory herbs, like turmeric and ginger.
—Diana Cullum-Dugan RDN, LDN
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