There is a popular saying abroad: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." (An apple a day keeps the doctor away.) We all know that apples are fruits with very high nutritional value, but in daily life, there are still controversies about how and when to eat apples. Some believe that eating apples on an empty stomach is more beneficial to health, while others feel that eating apples on an empty stomach in the morning can have adverse effects on the stomach. So, what is the truth?
Whether apples can be eaten on an empty stomach depends on the person.
1. For healthy people, eating apples on an empty stomach in the morning is not harmful. This is mainly because the components in apples are not complex and are easily digested. Typically, 100 grams of apple contains: 86 grams of water, 0.2 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 13.5 grams of carbohydrates (sugars), 1.2 grams of dietary fiber, 4 milligrams of vitamin C, 4 milligrams of calcium, 119 milligrams of potassium, etc. For healthy people, although they can eat apples on an empty stomach in the morning, they should not overdo it, as excessive consumption of anything can affect their health. Apples contain a large amount of malic acid, vitamin C, and citric acid. Eating too many apples on an empty stomach can react with stomach acid to form lumps that are not easily dissolved, leading to acute inflammation of the stomach. Therefore, one should still be cautious.
2. However, for some people who are not in good health, it is best not to eat apples on an empty stomach, especially those with gastrointestinal diseases. Generally, they need to avoid raw and cold foods. Eating apples on an empty stomach in the morning may cause stomach discomfort. In addition, those with blood sugar fluctuations should also avoid eating apples on an empty stomach. The sugar content of apples is about 13.5%, and it is mainly in the form of simple sugars, which have a high absorption rate. When consumed on an empty stomach, it can easily cause fluctuations in blood sugar.
What is the best time of day to eat an apple?
1. You can eat apples on an empty stomach for breakfast.
From the previous dinner to the current breakfast, most people have not eaten for more than 10 hours, and liver glycogen is basically depleted, feeling very tired in the morning. At this time, eating an apple on an empty stomach will quickly convert fructose into glucose, which is absorbed by the body. About half an hour later, you will feel full of energy. Eating an apple on an empty stomach can also promote bile secretion and flow, preventing bile from staying in the gallbladder for too long and preventing gallstones.
2. Eating apples before bed has many benefits.
The second best time is to eat an apple one hour before bedtime. This not only eliminates bacteria in the mouth, improves kidney function, but also helps with sleep and is less likely to cause insomnia. Therefore, eating apples is also a very good health care method.
3. Eating fruit after meals is harmful to health.
Many people believe that eating fruit after meals is a good habit. However, recent research has found that this is not scientific. Eating fruit after meals can easily be blocked by the food eaten earlier in the stomach, causing symptoms such as bloating and constipation, which has a negative impact on digestion. Therefore, it is advisable to eat fruit about half an hour before a meal. Moreover, because fruits are usually eaten raw, eating them before a meal can protect the body's immune system from the adverse stimulation of cooked food, which is very beneficial to the immune system. >>> Extended reading: Don't peel apples when eating them, DIY apple puree for babies of different ages.
Which three types of people should not eat apples?
Apples contain galacturonic acid, which has a significant detoxification effect. Its pectin can prevent food from rotting in the intestines. Eating a few apples or drinking a few glasses of apple juice a day can prevent gallstones. However, there are three types of people who should not eat apples:
1. Patients with ulcerative colitis. Due to the thinning of the intestinal wall ulcers, the texture of apples is relatively hard. Unripe apples (20 pictures) also contain 1.2% crude fiber and 0.5% organic acids, which are irritating and are not conducive to the healing of intestinal ulcer surfaces.
2. Patients with leukopenia and patients with prostatic hypertrophy should not eat raw apples, as it may aggravate symptoms or affect the treatment effect.
3. Patients with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and kidney disease should eat with caution.