Scientists trying to create diabetes preventing apple
"A compound called phloridzin is found naturally in apples, and it was found to reduce the risk of diabetes" Andrew Dare, a scientist at the company said.
While eating a normal apple helps, as it offers this compound, it only offers it in small amounts. The researchers hope to increase the amount contained in your every-day apples by up to tenfold.
Scientist Richard Espley also said the beneficial compound is found mostly in the skin, and they hope to develop a variety which contains it in the flesh itself since many peel their fruit.
"It's nearly all in the skin," he says.
"If we could get it through the apple or pear or whatever, it would be a really cool fruit."
Naturally, the taste of the fruit will be important as well, otherwise people will not want to eat it, regardless of the benefits," Mr Espley says.
source: tvnz.co.nz
