Fruit Myth Busters

If you have any queries or suggestions, please feel free to reach out via email to info@harisonfitness.com. We will do everything in our capacity to ensure that you love your experience with us.

Fresh fruit is widely recognized as a healthy food choice, but there are some common misconceptions about eating fruit. Do you know what to watch out for in your daily life? Let’s explore together.

01 Misconception: The more fruit you eat, the greater the benefits?

There are also many common misconceptions about how much fruit one should eat. Some people trying to lose weight believe that more fruit is always better. While it’s certainly possible to replace some staple foods with fruit to control calorie intake, more is not necessarily better. Fruit primarily contains large amounts of water and small amounts of carbohydrates. Consuming only fruit for extended periods can lead to insufficient intake of certain nutrients (protein, vitamin A, B vitamins), which is detrimental to health.

Misconception 2: Is eating fruit beneficial at any time?

Fruits contain various vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, proteins, fats, and other nutrients essential for the human body. However, fruits should never be consumed indiscriminately. Due to their high content of organic acids and tannins, and the presence of potent proteolytic enzymes in some varieties, they can irritate and damage the stomach, leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and indigestion.

Therefore, timing is crucial. Generally, it’s best to eat fruit about an hour before or after meals. For pre-meal consumption, choose fruits that are less acidic and less astringent, such as apples, pears, bananas, or grapes. Additionally, individuals with weak gastrointestinal function should avoid eating fruit before meals. However, consuming certain fruits after meals—such as pineapple—can aid digestion. Fresh pineapple contains proteolytic enzymes; when eaten on an empty stomach, these enzymes can damage the stomach lining and cause allergic reactions in some people. Therefore, it is best eaten after meals to promote digestion.

It’s also important to note that eating fruit as a late-night snack can be hard on digestion. Moreover, the high sugar content in fruit can easily lead to excess calories and weight gain. Consuming high-fiber fruits right before bed can fill the stomach and intestines, significantly reducing sleep quality. This is especially detrimental to those with weaker digestive systems. However, when struggling with poor sleep, eating some longan fruit may help. Longan has calming and sleep-inducing properties, promoting more restful sleep.

Misconception 3: All fruits are high-fiber foods.

In fact, many fruits contain very little vitamin C, and other vitamins are equally scarce. Thirteen vitamins are derived from various foods. Relying solely on fruits to supply all vitamins is truly an impossible task.

04 Misconception: Eating fruit can help you lose weight

Fruits are not inherently low-calorie foods. Due to their pleasantly sweet taste, they contain over 8% sugar content, primarily in the form of easily digestible monosaccharides and disaccharides. Although fruits contain fewer calories per gram than rice, their sweetness often makes them irresistible, leading to overconsumption and frequently exceeding recommended sugar intake levels.

Weight loss through fruit requires careful approach. Maintain balanced nutrition by eating at regular times and in measured portions—never sacrifice health for beauty.