Some say that eating fruit before a meal is better for absorption, while others say that eating fruit after a meal aids digestion. This raises questions about the proper etiquette and methods for eating fruit. So, when is the best time to eat fruit? Before or after a meal? In the summer, how can women who focus on wellness miss out on fruit? Fruit is rich in nutrients and health-beneficial bioactive substances, and its health benefits are widely recognized. "An apple a day" is a health standard for many. But how can you eat fruit to ensure full absorption of its nutrients without adversely affecting your body?
Best in the morning: Apples, pears, grapes.
Eating fruit in the morning can help with 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 not too astringent, such as apples, pears, and grapes, are very suitable.
Don't eat before a meal: Cherry tomatoes, oranges, hawthorn, bananas, persimmons.
Some fruits should not be eaten on an empty stomach before a meal, 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 pain and bloating. Oranges contain a large amount of organic acids; eating them on an empty stomach can easily cause bloating and acid reflux. Hawthorn is sour; eating it on an empty stomach can cause stomach pain.
Bananas are high in potassium and magnesium. Eating them on an empty stomach can raise the level of magnesium in the blood, which can have an inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular system. So, friends who want to lose weight with bananas must be careful; don't harm your health in pursuit of slimming.
Persimmons have an astringent effect. When they encounter stomach acid, they can form bezoars, which cannot be digested or excreted. After eating a large quantity on an empty stomach, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may occur.
Best after a meal: Pineapple, papaya, kiwi, oranges, hawthorn.
The bromelain in pineapple helps digest protein, supplements the body's lack of digestive enzymes, and enhances digestive function. Li Shizhen also affirmed in his "Compendium of Materia Medica" that pineapple can strengthen the spleen and stomach and secure vital energy. Eating some pineapple after a meal can whet the appetite, relieve greasiness, and aid digestion.
The papain in papaya can help the human body break down protein in meat. Eating a small amount of papaya after a meal has certain benefits for 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 aid digestion.
Soothing for a late-night snack: Longan.
Eating fruit as a late-night snack is not good for digestion, and because fruit contains too much sugar, it can easily lead to excess calories and obesity. Especially eating high-fiber fruits before sleep, a full stomach can affect sleep, and it is even more harmful to people with poor gastrointestinal function. But if you have poor sleep, you can eat a few longans. They have a calming and sleep-aiding effect that can help you sleep soundly.