3 common mistakes to avoid while consuming fruits and why

Fruits are an integral part of the human diet. From Ayurveda to medical science, all have approved that eating fruits is a healthy habit that not just helps gain nutrition but also keeps the body active and nourishes the skin. Fruits are one of the simplest and most effective ways to support overall health. Fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and natural fiber that help boost energy levels, strengthen the immune system, and improve digestion without adding too many calories. Their rich antioxidant content protects the body from inflammation and oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. While having fruits is a healthy habit, experts feel that eating them the wrong way can mess with your digestion. Dimple Jangda, a wellness and nutrition expert, recently shared a reel on Instagram and mentioned three common mistakes one should avoid while having fruits. As per her video, these three simple tips can prevent any kind of indigestion that one can get from fruits. Take a look.

Remember, when you eat foods after a heavy meal, your stomach acids are focused on digesting the denser carbohydrates, proteins, and fat, and the food stays longer than needed in the stomach. It starts becoming acidic in nature. A lot of you would have experienced post-meal acidity when you consume fruits, states Dimple in the video. She further states that there's also a study done by Penn University that showed that if you consume fruits before a meal, it improves satiety and also reduces your calorie intake by 15 to 20%. Not just that, it also helps in controlling your insulin production by releasing a GLP-1 gut hormone that produces insulin and thus prevents sugar spike. So it's better to consume your fruits one hour before a meal, or if you've already had a meal, two hours after a meal.

According to Dimple, fruits are a rich source of acids like malic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, and tartaric acid. These acids have a waking effect on your body, especially apples that are equal to one cup of caffeine. Not just that, these acids also interrupt with your melatonin production, which allows you to fall asleep. They boost your metabolism and your energy production, which is best during the day. Hence, the best time to consume fruits is in the morning, one hour before breakfast or two hours after breakfast. She further states that the second portion of fruits can be consumed as a snack at four o'clock, never after sunset.

You think you're doing your gut a favor, you're actually ruining your gut lining, claims Dimple. She states that fruits can be citric in nature, like your lemon, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits. They can be sweet in nature, like your bananas, avocados, mangoes, or they can be astringent in nature, like your apples, pears, berries, cherries. When you mix them all, they start fighting for enzymes in your stomach, leading to malabsorption of most of the nutrients. Not just that, it can lead to delayed digestion, burping, bloating, and even flatulence and acidity symptoms. Melons, especially, do not agree with any fruit. It's best to consume it separately, as a separate bowl or a separate meal.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article—is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.