Apple Peels Shown To Have Compound That Keeps Muscles Strong

Many individuals — especially those with small children to please — will often peel their apples before eating them, discarding a part of the fruit that has been known to be rich in nutrients.

Now, researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered one more reason why consumers should opt to keep their apples intact: The skin apparently contains a compound that may stave off muscle loss.

"Muscle wasting is a frequent companion of illness and aging," said lead author Christopher Adams. "It prolongs hospitalization, delays recoveries and in some cases prevents people from going back home. It isn't well understood and there is no medicine for it."

In a mouse model, the researchers found that rodents that ate food supplemented with ursolic acid — a component of apple peels — had more muscle mass as well as decreased blood sugar, cholesterol, body fat and triglycerides, compared to a group of control mice.

The team of scientists is now working to determine whether the compound would benefit humans and what dosage would be required for efficacy.