Apple is a familiar, delicious and nutritious fruit. But eating apples is not always as effective. Depending on the time of day, apples can aid digestion, control weight, and even help improve sleep if you know how to eat them on time.
Good morning for digestion
Apples contain a lot of soluble fiber, especially pectin, which helps enhance intestinal activity and nourish beneficial gut bacteria. Therefore, eating apples in the morning or between meals is an ideal choice to aid digestion.
"Scalp tea is a great snack for the digestive system," says Sarah Bence, a nutritionist and physical therapist. Eating at breakfast helps kick- start bowel movements and supports the gut microbiome to function effectively".
Before meals, support weight loss
If you are looking to lose weight, eating an apple before meals can help you eat less while still feeling full.
According to Dr. Robert Burakoff, a digestive expert at Harvard Medical School: Coice can slow down digestion, helping you feel full longer and reducing cravings.
With about 95 calories and more than 4 grams of fiber per fruit, apples are a healthy snack that helps limit snacking and naturally cut calories.
Before bed, you should consider
Although apples are very good, eating them right before bed can cause discomfort to some people. The reason is that apples contain fructose, a sugar that can cause bloating or flatulence if you have a sensitive digestive system.
Dr. Burakoff notes: Some people feel bloated or indignant if they eat apples before going to bed. This can affect sleep quality.
However, apples also contain carotenoids, antioxidants that can aid sleep. If your body does not react negatively to apples, eating apples about 1-2 hours before bed can still bring benefits.
Who should limit eating apples?
Most people can eat apples every day. However, there are some cases that need attention:
People who are allergic to apples or eucalyptus pollen.
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), because apples contain a lot of fructose.
People with diabetes should avoid apple juice and dried apples because they are low in fiber and sugar is easy to absorb.