Due to its astringent taste, this fruit is quite “picky” about its eaters, but few know that it is an effective remedy for cancer prevention and blood sugar regulation.
Docynia indica, commonly known as the wild apple, is a specialty fruit abundant in the mountainous provinces of Northern Vietnam. This fruit is spherical or egg-shaped, measuring about 2–3 cm in diameter. Despite its sour and astringent flavor, it is still considered a familiar snack for many people.
The wild apple is considered a precious medicinal herb of the Northwest region.
However, if you delve deeper into this fruit, you will be surprised by its health benefits. Perhaps this is why the wild apple is regarded as a precious medicinal herb of the Northwest, with the following outstanding benefits:
1. Cancer Prevention
Eating fresh wild apples can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. Studies have shown that the phenolic compounds along with other components of the secondary metabolites in the wild apple act as a prominent source of antioxidants. Notably, this fruit contains a high level of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. In addition to vitamin C absorption, it also supports the immune system and prevents and reverses oxidative stress, a key factor explaining why flavonoids help prevent and treat cancer.
2. Blood Sugar Regulation
Not only does the wild apple help prevent cancer, but it is also effective in controlling blood sugar levels. According to Dr. Phung Tuan Giang, President of the Vietnam Institute for Traditional Medicine Development, the wild apple is a source of important minerals and vitamins, featuring natural compounds extracted from the fruit that contain polyphenols, particularly alkaloids and flavonoids with properties that combat hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.
The wild apple is a rich source of important minerals and vitamins.
3. Supports Heart Disease and Blood Circulation Disorders Treatment
In Western medicine, the leaves, fruit, and flowers of the wild apple have positive effects on blood circulation disorders, pain relief, and sedation. A study in Germany demonstrated that bioflavonoids in the wild apple have vasodilatory effects, increasing blood flow to the heart, preventing vascular degeneration, improving heart rhythm, and lowering blood pressure. Therefore, if you have a heart that isn’t particularly healthy, consider adding this fruit to your diet to “nourish” your heart daily.
4. Reduces Blood Lipids
Another benefit of the wild apple is its ability to significantly reduce blood lipids by enhancing bile secretion, which accelerates cholesterol elimination. This process reduces harmful LDL cholesterol and increases beneficial HDL cholesterol, thus decreasing cholesterol deposition in blood vessels.
