A lot of popular misinformation and individual claims about the best time to eat fruits can be seen circulating around the internet.
It is commonly said that eating fruits on an empty stomach is much better than during or after meals. The claim suggests that eating a fruit with food in the stomach will slow down digestion and result into the food sitting in the stomach and fermenting. Adding that eating fruits with food in the stomach is what causes gas and discomfort.
Although the fiber present in fruits can slow down food release from the stomach, the additional claims are false and should be disregarded. Fermentation or rotting said to occur in the stomach cannot because the stomach is structured and programmed to create an uncomfortable environment for microorganisms by increasing its acidity.
The slowing action of the fruits in the stomach can be regarded as a benefit for people who are aiming towards weight loss because one tends to feel full for long, thereby enabling the individual to cut down on calories and eat less.
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Eating fruits before or after a meal does not depreciate nutrient value. The human body has mastered efficiently, the art of effectively absorbing nutrients from food consumed, no matter when it is eaten.
The human digestive system is actively working to break down and extract nutrients from the fruit we take, disregarding whether it is consumed on an empty stomach or along with a meal.
Taking fruits is a healthy way to get nutrients into our body. Claims and theories surrounding the best time to take them is only based on misinformation. Eating a fruit at any time of the day is good, although timing can be important for people living with diabetes or those trying to lose weight.