Scientists have recently shown that important health benefits of apples may stem from their impact on bacteria in the digestive tract.
In studies on laboratory animals, intake of apples is now known to significantly alter amounts of two bacteria (Clostridiales and Bacteriodes) in the large intestine.
As a result of these bacterial changes, metabolism in the large intestine is also changed, and many of these changes appear to provide health benefits.
For example, due to bacterial changes in the large intestine, there appears to be more fuel available to the large intestine cells (in the form of butyric acid) after apple is consumed.
We expect to see future studies confirming these results in humans, and we are excited to think about potential health benefits of apple that will be related to its impact on bacterial balance in our digestive tract. Source is here.