Is it healthier to eat apples with their skin on? But apples you just bought often have a layer of wax on their surface. If this wax isn't cleaned off, can it be harmful to your health?
From a nutritional standpoint, you should choose to eat apples with their skin, as the peel contains more antioxidants compared to the flesh.
The wax on the apple peel mainly falls into the following three categories:
First, there is the natural fruit wax that apples produce themselves. This is a lipid substance that forms a protective plant layer on the apple's surface. It effectively prevents external microbes and pesticides from penetrating the flesh, serving a protective function. This type of wax does not need to be removed.
Second, some imported apples have an edible wax added artificially. This "artificial fruit wax" is actually a chitosan substance, mostly extracted from crustaceans like crabs and shellfish.
This substance itself is not harmful to the body. Its primary function is for preservation, preventing apples from rotting during long-distance transportation and extended storage. Removing this layer of wax is simple; you can just rinse it off with hot water.
The third type is industrial wax. The mercury and lead it contains may seep from the peel into the flesh, posing a health risk to humans.
To differentiate: Rub the apple's surface with your hand or a tissue. If a faint red substance comes off, it may be industrial wax.