Fruits are rich in nutrients and health-beneficial bioactive substances. Their benefits for health are widely recognized, and "a fruit a day" is a healthy eating standard for many. However, how can you eat fruit to fully absorb its nutrients without causing adverse effects on the body? The timing of eating fruit is crucial; you must learn to "catch the right time."
Morning is the best time for apples, pears, and grapes. Eating fruit in the morning can aid digestion and absorption, promote bowel movements, and the sweet and sour taste can leave you feeling refreshed all day. After a night's rest, the gastrointestinal tract is still activating, and its digestive function is not strong. Therefore, fruits that are not too acidic and have a mild astringent taste, such as apples, pears, and grapes, are very suitable.
Do not eat before meals: cherry tomatoes, oranges, hawthorn, bananas, persimmons. Some fruits should not be eaten on an empty stomach before meals, such as cherry tomatoes, oranges, hawthorn, and bananas. Cherry tomatoes contain soluble tannins; if eaten on an empty stomach, they will combine with stomach acid, increasing pressure in the stomach and causing bloating and pain. Oranges contain a large amount of organic acids, which can easily lead to bloating and acid reflux when eaten on an empty stomach. Hawthorn is sour and can cause stomach pain when eaten on an empty stomach. Bananas are high in potassium and magnesium; eating them on an empty stomach can increase the level of magnesium in the blood and have an inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular system. Persimmons have an astringent effect; when they encounter stomach acid, they form bezoars, which cannot be digested or excreted. After eating a large quantity on an empty stomach, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may appear.
Best after meals: pineapple, papaya, kiwi, oranges, hawthorn. Bromelain in pineapple helps digest protein, supplements the body's lack of digestive enzymes, and enhances digestive function. Li Shizhen also affirmed in "Compendium of Materia Medica" that pineapple can strengthen the spleen and stomach and consolidate vital energy. Eating pineapple after meals can stimulate the appetite, relieve greasiness, and aid digestion. Papain in papaya can help the human body break down protein in meat. Eating a small amount of papaya after meals has certain effects in preventing gastric ulcers, gastroenteritis, and indigestion. Kiwis, oranges, hawthorn, etc., are rich in organic acids, which can increase the activity of digestive enzymes, promote fat breakdown, and help digestion.
For a peaceful bedtime snack: eat longans. Eating fruit as a late-night snack is not good for digestion, and because fruits contain too much sugar, it can easily lead to excess calories and cause obesity. Especially eating high-fiber fruits before sleep can affect sleep due to a full stomach, and it is even more harmful to people with poor gastrointestinal function. However, if you have poor sleep, you can eat a few longans. They have a calming and sleep-aiding effect, allowing you to sleep more soundly.