General
Are imported apples better than desi Indian imports? Well, may be you are paying a premium price tag for no apparent benefits, says an Apollo Hospitals doctor.
“If you are paying more for imported apples assuming they are “healthier” than our home-grown Kashmiri or Himachali varieties, the science suggests you might be paying a premium for a less nutritious product,” said Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM, who works at Apollo Hyderabad.
In a post on X, the doctor said that the imported apples lack freshness. Apples are often harvested and then kept in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage. While this keeps them “crunchy,” it doesn’t stop nutrient degradation,” he said.
Citing ‘research’, he said that Vitamin C is highly unstable and Apples can lose 40% to 85% of their Vitamin C content during 5–9 months of cold storage.
Dr Sudhir also said that imported apples have to travel over 10,000 km to reach Indiathey lose heat- and light sensitive nutrients.
According to Dr Sudhir, “Indian apples, particularly the Royal Delicious and Starkrimson varieties from the Western Himalayas, are nutritional heavyweights.”
Citing ‘studies’, he claimed that Himalayan apples have high concentrations of phloridzin, quercetin, and catechin-powerful antioxidants that support heart health and help regulate blood sugar.
“The deep red colour of many Kashmiri/Himachali apples is a sign of high anthocyanin content, which helps fight oxidative stress,” he added.
Besides, he pointed out the environmental cost in importing apples. “When you buy imported, you are not just paying for the fruit; you are paying for the massive carbon footprint of long-distance shipping. Importing fruit that is already grown in abundance locally is one of the biggest contributors to unnecessary “food miles.” Choosing Himachal or Kashmir apples directly supports Indian farmers and the local economy, ensuring that the “premium” you pay actually helps the community rather than just logistics companies,” he wrote.
“An apple a day is great, but a fresh, local apple is even better. Don’t let the shiny wax and “imported” sticker fool you; the real nutrition is in the hills of Himachal and the valleys of Kashmir,” he concluded.