Just as the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” suggests, eating apples, the fruit containing varied nutrients is good for people’s health. Apples became one of the most popular fruits in early times and almost everywhere nowadays. But for those who are used to peeling to eat, they don’t realize this seemingly healthy habit is depriving them of absorbing a quite helpful nutrient – ursolic acid, which is found to be largely contained in the apple peels. This is what I want to introduce the following.
Ursolic acid, also known as prunol, malol, or urson, refers to a pentacyclic triterpenoid. This fantastic natural compound is present in a great number of fruits and plants and can be easily found in the peelings or leaves of e.g. apples, cranberries, peppermint, lavender, prunes, and many others.
Ursolic acid has the effect of lowering the levels of both blood lipids and blood glucose which are quite crucial for weight control. This is why apple, a fruit high in ursolic acid, is regarded and frequently recommended as a weight-loss food. It can also help to control cholesterol and protect people from thromboembolic disease. According to recent research, ursolic acid is found to be a catalyst for the growth of insulin which is very important to muscle development. In other words, ursolic acid keeps the muscle from aging to some extent, which makes it an omnipotent material for health.
With its varied benefits, ursolic acid is widely applied in other fields such as cosmetics. Especially in those anti-aging products, people can easily find out the ursolic acid mentioned in the descriptions of ingredients. It is used to whiten the skin, maintain elasticity, and restrain the synthesis of melanin. Beautician describes the effects of the ursolic acid as producing a protective film on the surface of the skin, just like the protective wax found on apples. It can help to repair the wrinkle, remove the spots, and regain the elasticity of the skin. As a potent anti-aging antioxidant, ursolic acid is often added to shampoo products, too. It acts as a powerful stimulant for blood flow in the scalp, thus has a great effect on hair growth.
Ursolic acid is proven safe, stable, and low toxic, thus enabling it for a variety of medical applications. Its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-tumor properties make it very effective in healing the scalp and treating tumors. People suffering from diarrhea and urinary tract infections can be effectively relieved by ursolic acid-made medicines. According to medical specialists, ursolic acid has also been found to inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.
Nothing in the world is flawless and perfect. Several doctors pointed out that ursolic acid can cause DNA damage which may lead to potential risks in the long term. But one flaw cannot obscure the splendor of the jade. With so many beneficial qualities, ursolic acid is still one of the most promising ingredients for medical use and many others, a true boon for human being’s health and beauty.