An apple remedy instead of allergy jabs: How old apple varieties can gently alleviate pollen and cross-allergies

Every spring, millions of people begin to suffer: bouts of sneezing, a blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes herald the start of the birch pollen season. Around 50 to 70 per cent of those affected also struggle with so-called cross-allergies, particularly to pome and stone fruit as well as nuts. Around 20 per cent of these allergy sufferers can no longer tolerate apples either and banish this healthy fruit completely from their diet to avoid painful tingling, a furry tongue or a scratchy throat.

The latest medical findings prove that there is another way: with a targeted apple regimen, the immune system can be gradually desensitised. This can provide long-term relief not only from apple allergies but even from birch pollen allergies.  

Why modern supermarket apples often trigger allergies

The apple is considered the Germans’ favourite fruit, but modern, industrially standardised cultivation comes at a price. Varieties optimised for the retail market, such as Golden Delicious, Gala, Jonagold, Braeburn and Pink Lady, are bred primarily for high yields, a flawless appearance and a long shelf life.

• The lack of polyphenols: Due to modern and often lengthy cooling and storage processes (sometimes involving SmartFresh fumigation), the fruit loses a significant amount of its valuable nutrients. In particular, the content of polyphenols – secondary plant compounds – drops rapidly.

• The problem with the Golden Delicious: This old but extremely high-yielding variety has been incorporated into the genetics of almost all modern new cultivars. It has a very low polyphenol content (as evidenced by the fact that it barely turns brown when cut) and, at the same time, an exceptionally high potential to cause intolerance. The protein Mal d1 it contains triggers severe allergic reactions in many people.

Old apple varieties (such as Roter Boskoop, Goldparmäne or Gravensteiner) are, by contrast, rich in polyphenols. In nature, these compounds serve to protect the fruit from pests and fungi. It is precisely these polyphenols that make apples tolerable for allergy sufferers and act as a natural buffer within the body.

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Alte Apfelsorten (wie Roter Boskoop, Goldparmäne oder Gravensteiner) sind dagegen reich an Polyphenolen. Diese Stoffe dienen der Frucht in der Natur als Schutz vor Schädlingen und Pilzen. Genau diese Polyphenole sind es auch, die den Apfel für Allergiker verträglich machen und als natürlicher Puffer im Körper wirken.   

The scientific breakthrough: how the apple diet reprogrammes the immune system

Studies by the allergist Prof. Klaus Eisendle of the University of Bolzano, as well as research carried out at the Charité in Berlin, demonstrate that an apple regimen works. The mechanism behind it seems paradoxical at first: as the main allergen in apples (Mal d1) and the main allergen in birch (Bet v1) are structurally almost identical, the immune system reacts in the same way to both stimuli.

Instead of merely treating the body symptomatically with expensive injection therapies or antihistamines, the apple regimen utilises the principle of oral tolerance induction:

1. The antibody shift: At the start of the regimen, both the allergy-triggering IgE antibodies and the protective IgG4 antibodies increase. As the treatment progresses, the specific IgE levels decrease, whilst the IgG4 antibodies rise significantly. These IgG4 antibodies act as ‘tolerance guardians’ and signal to the immune system that the body can tolerate the proteins.

2. Relief for mast cells: Through daily, cautious consumption, the mast cells in the oral mucosa release histamine in measured doses until their activity is, so to speak, exhausted and they no longer trigger uncontrolled overreactions.

3. Regulation via T-cells: The polyphenols contained in apples also support the T-suppressor cells, which regulate excessive allergic reactions.

After one year of observation, it was found that the symptoms of birch pollen allergy were significantly milder in study participants, or in some cases even disappeared completely.

Are you wondering whether this approach might also be suitable for your allergy?

Every allergy and every immune system reacts differently. We’d be happy to explore together which options might be appropriate for you personally.

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Step-by-step guide to the apple regimen at home

If you’d like to try the apple regimen, you should proceed methodically and without rushing, so as not to overwhelm your immune system:

• The ideal time to start: It’s best to begin outside the birch pollen season – late summer or early autumn is ideal, when fresh, heritage apple varieties are available in shops or in orchards. As the allergen content increases during long-term storage, you’ll be starting under the best possible conditions.

• Choosing the variety: Start with old varieties that are very rich in polyphenols, such as Roter Boskoop, Goldparmäne or Gravensteiner.

• Build up gradually: To begin with, eat only tiny portions (e.g. an eighth of an apple). In the early stages, it may help to peel the apple, as the allergens are found directly in and under the skin.

• Let it melt in your mouth: Chew the apple extremely thoroughly and let the apple pulp sit briefly under your tongue before swallowing. This allows desensitisation to begin directly via the mast cells located there in the mouth. Leave a half-hour gap between this and other meals, both before and after eating.

• Increase the dose and vary the varieties: If you can tolerate a small amount without any symptoms, increase the quantity day by day until you reach a whole apple. Once you have maintained this for several weeks, you can gradually introduce varieties with slightly higher allergen content. To build up long-term tolerance, it is advisable to continue the regimen over a longer period (at least one to two years).

  
  

Holistic support at your naturopathic practice

Every person and every immune system is unique. Whether an apple regimen is the right approach for you and how your body can best be prepared for natural desensitisation is best discussed on an individual basis.

Would you like to tackle your allergies at their root cause and holistically?

At our naturopathic practice, we’d be delighted to support you with bespoke programmes for gut restoration, immune system regulation and naturopathic therapies.

👉 Book an appointment now:

Visit our website at www.bisch-dussmann.de or contact us by telephone on +49 7621 78810. We look forward to your call at the Michaela Bisch-Dußmann Naturopathic Practice in Weil am Rhein!

Kind regards

Michaela Bisch-Dußmann