<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> On June 2nd, I wrote the following: I have no trouble eating Granny Smith green apples, no problem with yellow apples like Golden Delicious, but every time I eat an apple with a red skin I have a gut reaction similar to a celiac reaction to gluten. Does anyone know the reason? Here are the responses - and I've included repetitions just to show how the thought patterns are going: *** This is interesting and I hope someone answers you! Ben also eats only Granny Smith apples, and I prefer them myself. I can eat Gala apples, but don't really prefer them over GS apples. Hate red ones! They must put some gunk on them, besides! Anne Washburn *** Could you let me know what you hear? My daugter (not supposed to be a celiac) has given up red apples because she says they give her bellyaches. But only the red ones do, not the green ones . . . Debra Boutin *** I rarely eat fruit that doesn't need peeling, especially apples. This is despite a love for all fruit. The reason is the wax. I've seen several references to the idea that the waxes applied to fruit can seal in not only the freshness but also insecticides and such. Unless you wash the fruit in such a way that the wax is removed along with whatever has been trapped under it, the result can be consumption of trace amounts of insecticides, etc. Besides, these things can also be absorbed into the skins of the fruit. Have you tried peeling a red apple and just eating the inside? If there is no reaction, it is obviously the skin. It won't tell you why, but at least you will know what. Chuck *** Gayle, this is not an answer, but an observation. I prefer Granny Smith for their crispness and tart flavor, but the fam likes red, so I buy both. Side by side you quickly notice the high sheen of the shellac on the red and the GS green have no coating to make them shine. Could be a clue! Sandy Rieser *** I have the same problem and haven't been able to figure it out. I can eat a red apple if I peel it though so it's gotta be something in the skin. I'd be interested in knowing what else you find out. Joan Lombard IL *** Gayle, I have the same problem! With one exception. I seem to tolerate red ORGANIC apples . I suspect some chemical they put on the red ones. You would think they would use the same chemicals on all apples. Maybe there is some other difference? Debbie in SC *** It could be the acidity. Red apples apparently are very acidic whereas green and yellow apples actually produce the opposite effect in your body. They add to the alkalinity. Perhaps that is the explanation. The latter is much better for you. Betty S. [Gayle's comment: Granny Smith apples taste more acidic than many red apples - but I don't know if they really have a higher acid content...] *** I don't have an answer but I have the same reaction basicly so let me know if you find out. Debbie Resch *** I certainly would be curious to know what answers you get. I have a problem with apples (besides digestive) but I can't be sure whether all varieties. Bill *** Hi all, I don't know if this applies to every distributor but I was told that some red apples are injected with dye to make the skins a deep red (red delicious are the ones I buy). I noticed I was getting sick after eating them and not after green apples. I am highly allergic to a lot of dyes and when they put red/orange dyes in colas I get sick from those. I haven't followed up about the apples I get here in Vancouver, BC and yours are probably different. I posted this to the list rather than the poster as I'm wondering if anybody else knows or has info on this. I heard it from a friend so i'm not sure it's reliable info. I just know that red apples make me sick! (headaches and upset stomach). goalie *** My sister is very symptomatic of celiac sprue with a few additions: she is ultra-allergic to (flowers) roses in particular and has real problems eating apples and coincidentally apricots. In all my reading, I came across trivial information that indicates apples and apricots are related to roses!!! Go figure. It's weird, but with our systems, it seems weird pretty much says it all. Glenda *** I am not sure of the answer but red grapes versus green grapes have the same effect on my sister. She can eat green grapes and green apples but not red grapes and red apples. It is in the skin. If she removes the skin it is ok. -- Richard *** I am reaching for a answer here. Could it be the ingredients in the wax coating found on some apples? Lucy *** I don't have a conclusive answer; only a theory. Just yesterday I learned from another list member that apples contain phenolsulphurtransferase. Those missing this digestive enzyme have difficulty with apples and other foods in this category (don't know what those other foods are yet, and an Internet search didn't reveal a thing). Do you have an allergy to sulfa antibiotics or injections? If so, you could be mising this enzyme. I need to learn more about phenols, but I thought this preliminary info might be of some assistance. Sharon [The answer to Sharon's question is, 'No, I'm not allergic to sulfa."-- Gayle] *** You might look at the difference in phenol content between red and other apples. I react to all apples, but I believe that there are more phenols in the red ones. Many celiacs (and autists) are deficient in PST enzymes which are necessary to digestion of phenols. You should have difficulty with nitrites and nitrates too. PST stands for something like phenolsulfurtransferase I'm appending a relevant abstract below. Ron [If you want that abstract, contact me. - Gayle] *** Many apples are glazed with either a parafin (sp?) wax or a vegetable glaze which make them nice and shiny and prevent their drying out or bruising as easily. I would bet that the glaze is the same kind of stuff (vegetable sterin ??) they glaze vitamin pills and candy with. I certainly react to the stuff, but I am corn sensitive as well as gluten sensitive. I try to carefully avoid fruits and veggies which I think might be glazed or otherwise treated. Katie ***