Gala Apples: Health Benefits, Calories, & Nutritional Information

Gala Apples

Introduction

Soaring demand for sweet and juicy apples due to the increased consumption of convenience foods, especially in North America, has led to high demand for Gala apples. A major factor driving the demand for Gala is its high sugar content (18g per 100g) which makes it a naturally sweet, low-calorie fruit. This makes it a popular choice among food manufacturers and other end-users of fruit. The traditional consumption of apples, however, is rapidly changing. In the US, consumption of apples declined significantly between 2015 and 2017, with the sales of Gala falling by 24.1% and Red Delicious by 21.5%, respectively. The trend is not far from those of overall consumption of fruit, which declined by 11.4% in the same period.

The History of Gala

In 1958, Missouri University researchers learned that growing the Gala apple in cold climates can produce high-quality fruit with a sweet flavor. The growing and harvesting technique was tweaked to raise the temperature, which led to the development of the sweet Gala.

They grow gala across the United States and in countries including China, Mexico, Japan, and Taiwan. In the US, over a million Gala trees are currently in use. Someone grew commercially most in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.

Gala is a good option for anyone who prefers a mild, sweet taste. Its flavonoids (an antioxidant that may have health benefits) also contribute to its high vitamin C content.

Health benefits

Gala Apples 1
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Gala apples are known for their mild and sweet taste. Health benefits attributed to these apples are:

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Blood pressure-lowering abilities. These apples lower blood pressure and their anti-oxidant properties are thought to lower plaque and cholesterol levels.

These apples lower blood pressure and their anti-oxidant properties are thought to lower plaque and cholesterol levels. Weight loss abilities. I said them to help reduce weight, even in those with a high body mass index.

I said them to help reduce weight, even in those with a high body mass index. Eyesight improving abilities. These apples have many antioxidants in their skin, and I said them to be an excellent source of Vitamin C and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.

Calories and nutritional information

The USDA National Nutrient Database lists a 5-ounce serving of Gala apples (320 mL) as 96 calories. This includes 40 calories from carbohydrates and 24 calories from fat, making it a very filling snack.

Nutrition facts.

The protein content is 35% of total calories in a 5-ounce serving of Gala apples, compared to 19% for Red Delicious apples and 22% for Fuji apples.

Proteins

Measuring protein is a complicated task and the USDA National Nutrient Database provides two different standard measures. A one-ounce (31 g) serving of Gala apples contains about 21% of the daily recommended value (RDA) for protein, compared to 24% for Red Delicious apples and 18% for Fuji apples. The 2015 US Dietary Guidelines recommends that, for a 2,000-calorie diet, an individual consumes 0.

Why you should eat Gala apples

Gala apples 2
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Gala apples are a versatile variety of apples that can be eaten raw, cooked, canned, or dried. Although sweet in flavor, they are high in fiber, dietary fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They are also versatile in their cooking and preservation. Most famous in recent years for their use as the base for applesauce, Gala apples have also gained popularity as a dessert apple. It’s also becoming a popular replacement for Red Delicious in salad recipes because of its sweet flavor and milder texture.

Gala is a cross between the Canadian Red Delicious and the Honeycrisp apple. Although both are nice to eat, Gala is sweeter. The production of Gala apples is difficult because of a certain species of apple worm that can grow on the male trees, thus reducing the yields.

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How to Store Gala Apples

Like all apples, Gala apples should be stored in a cool and shaded place. With the exception of those in the case, it should be stored in a refrigerator.

Nutrition

The leaves and stems of the Gala apple are edible and have been used in herbal teas for the treatment of diarrhea and skin disorders. Gala apples have 4.4 grams of dietary fiber per apple (10 per serving).

Gala Apples to Buy

As Gala is the most popular apple in the United States, the best choice for Americans will most likely be Gala. On Amazon, Gala and Golden Delicious are the top choices.

Golden Delicious

For those looking for the next big thing in apple cultivars, Golden Delicious has caught up to Gala, so it is safe to call them the same thing.

The healthiest way to eat a Gala apple

A typical Gala apple contains 110 calories and 11 grams of fiber per medium-sized apple. Its caloric density is 0.6 calories per gram of apple. The high nutrient content of a medium-sized apple is partly due to the fiber content, which makes it filling and has zero-calorie potential.

About 30 percent of a medium-sized Gala apple’s calories come from fruit sugar and about 25 percent come from fiber.

Most of the fiber in a Gala apple is soluble, which means it is not broken down during digestion and is eliminated from the body. This prevents intestinal discomfort and blood glucose spikes that accompany many carbohydrates.

The presence of dietary fiber in apples helps your body to reap the benefits of fruits and vegetables such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Conclusion

Many of the popular apples that have been created since the turn of the millennium are superior to older or ancient varieties because they breed them for greater vigor, flavor, and shelf-life.

These modern or super-domesticated apples are much more efficient at pollination, have higher nutrient content and longer storage life than their traditional counterparts. The superior taste, sweet crunch, and firm texture of super-domesticated apples also come with some health benefits.

Parents of young children can enjoy apple-picking at a local orchard with a fun day out. This serves as an introduction to a healthy diet and could also encourage an apple-preferring diet later on.

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