On Wednesday’s edition of the Extension Report podcast, Food and Health Educator, Amy Jones is offering a taste of trivia for food lovers. This week, Jones shared four surprising food facts. For one, she says there are more than 7,500 varieties of apples in the world—enough to eat one a day for over 20 years—and apples are a hydrating, nutrient-rich snack.
“If you were to eat an apple a day, it would take you over twenty years to try one of each. An apple a day is indeed a healthy choice. Apples are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. They are about 85% water, which makes them a refreshing and hydrating snack.”
Jones also noted that honey never spoils due to its low moisture content, though it should not be given to infants under one year. Another fact—peanuts and pistachios aren’t technically nuts; peanuts are legumes and pistachios are related to peaches and cherries, but both are nutritious.
“Peanuts, otherwise known as ground nuts, belong to the legume family like beans and lentils, while pistachios are related to peaches and cherries. Despite their classifications, their nutritional makeup is similar to tree nuts. They are rich in unsaturated fats, provide plant sources of protein, and have plenty of fiber.”
Finally, in the 1800s, ketchup was marketed as a cure-all for ailments. Cooked tomatoes, whether in ketchup or another type of sauce, are an excellent source of lycopene which is an antioxidant, and has been linked to reduce risk of certain types of cancers.
You can listen to all of Jones’ “Fun Food Facts” as part of Wednesday’s Iowa State Extension Report podcast at RadioOnTheGo.com/Podcast/Extension which is also available on Spotify.
