Honeycrisp Apple Salad With Walnuts And Pumpkin Seeds

Medically reviewed by Christiana George Updated Date: June 8, 2023

Hello November. Your arrival marks the end of the surrealness that was the last half week. Subways are once again open with limited service, supermarkets are operating in full swing, fallen trees are finally being cleared from roads that have been mostly empty for the last few days.

While those of us living in the Brooklyn area were lucky enough to experience very little damage from the hurricane, the pictures tell a different story. I think they’re what lends to the unrealness of the situation: the incongruity between what we witnessed firsthand and the chaos documented elsewhere. Most of you saw a coast that was being battered by unrelenting forces of nature. On the other hand, many of us sat around all of Tuesday night waiting for the power to go out, which didn’t happen, and trees to topple, which did, but only a little.

I feel fortunate that I could tell our friends and family that we were fine. I know that many weren’t as lucky, and my thoughts go out to them.

As soon as the markets re-opened today, I rushed out and bought fresh produce. Because in our rush to pick up emergency supplies, like bottled water and canned beans and vienna sausages (which are dirt cheap compared to Spam—why is that?), we’d forgotten that what we would probably need the most was food to get us through the next couple days.

Hahaha, riiiight.

So, hello November. Let’s start you out right. With a salad, because salads usually do the trick. Especially ones that contain bits of fruit.

Have you ever had a honeycrisp apple? I don’t know how I’ve never heard of them before, because they’re lovely. Maybe because I’ve never been an apple connoisseur; Fujis have always suited me just fine. But I’m seriously digging the crisp/tart/perfect flesh of the honeycrisp. Paired with arugula, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, not to mention a cider vinegar, honey, and poppy seed dressing, the salad is light and fresh and perky.

For many who were shaken by the storm, light and fresh and perky may be way to start out on the right foot.

HONEYCRISP APPLE SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND PUMPKIN SEEDS

Adapted from The Cozy Apron

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

For the vinaigrette:

6 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp finely chopped walnuts
3 Tbsp honey
2 tsp poppy seeds
pinch cumin
salt & pepper to taste
6 Tbsp olive oil

For the salad:

2 cups arugula
4 cups escarole, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 honeycrisp apple, sliced into thin matchsticks
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup roasted walnuts

Directions:

For the vinaigrette, mix all the ingredients but the olive oil together well in a jar with a lid. Pour in the olive oil, close the jar, and shake it until the dressing is emulsified.

For the salad, in a large bowl, combine the arugula, escarole, half the apples sticks, and half the pumpkin seeds and walnuts. Lightly drizzle with the dressing. Serve the salad onto individual serving plates, and garnish each with the remaining apples, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts. Drizzle on more dressing as desired.

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Are Apples Good for Your Teeth?

Food & Nutrition

Lindsay Ewan, MD

Updated Date:
January 7, 2026

You are already familiar with the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The new question, however, is whether apples also keep the dentist away. There is some debate about whether apples are beneficial to your teeth or not.

So, are apples good for your teeth? Apples are good for your teeth because they help clean and freshen your teeth and fight bad breath. Dietary fiber in apples, mostly found in the peel, functions as a toothbrush, scraping away plaque and removing other food particles from the teeth. The acidity of apples also aids in the eradication of harmful germs that produce bad breath.

However, too much of anything can be detrimental. Eating too many apples can harm your teeth! But there is no need to worry. You can take measures to ensure this does not happen. Here is an in-depth look at how apples affect your teeth.

How Are Apples Good for Your Teeth?

Dentists frequently recommend apples for a variety of health benefits.

Apples are nature’s toothbrush

You can get the benefits of nature’s toothbrush by biting into the fibrous texture of an apple, ideally with the peel on. Crisp fruits (like apples) and vegetables help eliminate plaque and bacteria that cause cavities. You can finish off your dinner with a tasty apple, for your teeth’s benefit!

Apples are beneficial to your gums

Apples are high in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, which benefits your gums. For example, vitamin C (found in apples) protects your gums healthily and prevents infection. You risk becoming ill if you do not consume enough Vitamin C. Furthermore, a lack of Vitamin C will lead to gum swelling and bleeding, especially if you already have gum disease.

Apples include a lot of vitamins and minerals

Apples contain a variety of minerals and vitamins in addition to Vitamin C. Apples contain malic acid, which, when consumed, causes salivation. Saliva is necessary for oral health. Apples also contain calcium, which helps to strengthen teeth and bones. They also contain fiber, which the body requires for general health, especially gastrointestinal system health.

Chewing on an apple increases saliva production

Apples contain malic acid, which causes salivation during chewing. This fact is amazing! Saliva acts as a rinse for the teeth. Saliva in your mouth is a barrier against bacteria and inhibits plaque formation.

Examining the mouths of people after chewing either fresh or dried apples has shown that plaque is eliminated, but only from the protruding surfaces of the teeth.

Some plaque will, however, remain in the crevices and interdental regions, which are particularly susceptible to cavities and periodontal disease due to plaque accumulation.

Even frequent apple chewing is not a substitute for excellent oral hygiene, which includes flossing and interdental brushing.

Can Apples Affect Your Teeth Negatively?

So what impact does eating apples have on your teeth? The acidity of apples may be harmful to oral health. Correct; acidic foods can cause dentin damage in your mouth. Dentin is the tooth layer immediately under tooth enamel. The acidity of an apple can dissolve dentine and cause tooth damage.

However, studies have shown that chewing an apple may not remove dental plaque but may promote plaque rebuilding within the first 24 hours. Still, it does cause an immediate decrease in salivary bacterial viability comparable to that reported after tooth brushing.

The sugar content of the modern apple is higher

As a result of plant hybridization, the sugar content of apples has increased by 50% over the years. Unfortunately, people have grown accustomed to a sweeter apple, which is less healthy for your teeth. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, modern apples have as much sugar as four tablespoons of table sugar. It is essential to know this because sugar can promote tooth decay.

Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady varieties currently contain about 15% sugar. Sugar content was formerly 10% or less. One apple with a 15% sugar content contains approximately four teaspoons!

This information should cause you to reconsider eating apples, especially between meals and in juice form. According to studies, consuming a lot of fruit and fruit juices is a primary cause tooth decay in adults. It is alarming for youngsters. Fruit juice should only be given to children in diluted form, if at all.

Therefore you should encourage your children to consume apples mixed with other healthy foods. For instance, you may serve them Honeycrisp apple salad with walnuts and pumpkin seeds. It will become their favorite afternoon treat in no time!

Apples have a high acidity level

Apples are a great source of critical nutrients for the body. If you are concerned about your oral health, the acid concentration in some apples is close to that of soda. Sodas have a typical pH in the range of 2.5 to 3.5, and many apples have a pH in the range of 3.0-4.0.

Type of Apple	pH Level
Ida Red	3.0
Granny	3.0
Amri	3.8
Golden	4.0
Red Chief	4.0
Golden Delicious	4.2
Double Red	4.2
Spartin	4.3
Red Golden	4.3
Jona Gold	4.3
Sky Spur	4.8
Gala	6.2

Acid can erode tooth enamel. Cavities are unavoidable if there is no barrier between your dentin and microorganisms. Certain fruits have a high acidic content.

As a result, dentists advocate eating acidic fruits like apples as desserts at the end of a meal, rather than as snacks during the day.

Is the Acidity in Apples Bad for My Teeth?

Apples may be as acidic as soft drinks. However, the detrimental effects of acidity in meals such as processed meats and coffee can be easily avoided by following the instructions below:

Pair your apple with another snack

Perhaps a tiny slice of cheese, a glass of milk, or some crackers might be appropriate. Other foods, primarily those high in calcium, will assist in balancing out the acidity of the apple. To help you out, you can do the following:

Cut them up and put them in yogurt

Apples can be consumed by slicing them into thin slices and dipping them in your desired yogurt. This snack of apples mixed with yogurt is high in calcium. Try adding a little honey to the yogurt if your preference gravitates towards a sweeter flavor.

Eating Applesauce

If you loathe biting into apples, applesauce is a good alternative. Make sure to consume just applesauce that has no added sugar. Including anything with added sugar will invalidate any dental benefits provided by this fruit.

Roast Them

Alternatively, you can cut the apples into thin slices, sprinkle them with cinnamon, and roast them in your oven. This snack is not only tasty, but it can also help fight bad breath and remove harmful bacteria from the mouth.

Rinse well with a glass of water

You should drink a glass of water after eating apples. Water aids in the removal of acid and food particles from between the teeth. To counteract the effects of acid erosion, you can also drink milk or eat cheese, which contains calcium.

Do not brush your teeth immediately

It is not advisable to brush your teeth shortly after eating sugary food. Sugar acts like sandpaper, causing tooth enamel deterioration. Brushing also softens and makes teeth more vulnerable to acid because teeth are porous. Brush your teeth at least 30 minutes after consuming sweet treats.

Conclusion

An apple’s high acidity aids in the elimination of germs in the mouth that cause bad breath. While some individuals are concerned that apple acidity would damage their enamel, the sugar content in apples neutralizes potentially harmful acids while making it easier for your body to absorb healthy ones.

The fiber component of apples aids in keeping teeth and gums clean and free of bacterial growth. Because they are crisp, apples enhance salivation, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities.