There are many benefits to eating fruit before a meal, but many people believe that eating fruit after a meal is the best combination for modern life. However, eating fruit immediately after a meal can affect digestion, especially for the elderly who may experience constipation as a result. Therefore, experts remind the elderly that it is best to eat fruit before meals.
A retired man who has been retired for six months has set a series of health plans for himself. With the careful care of his wife, his daily life is also very regular. He also eats a piece of fruit after every meal. However, recently he has been feeling discomfort in his stomach and a bloated sensation, followed by symptoms of constipation.
It is best to eat fruit before meals
The discomfort and bloating in the stomach are closely related to the recent habit of eating fruit after meals.
After food enters the stomach, it must go through a digestion process of 1-2 hours before it can be slowly expelled. If fruit is eaten immediately after a meal, it will be blocked by the food that arrived earlier in the stomach, preventing the fruit from being properly digested in the stomach. As a result, the fruit stays in the stomach for too long, leading to symptoms such as bloating and constipation. The digestive function of the elderly is weaker, and the gastrointestinal motility is slower, making them more prone to constipation. In addition, persisting in this habit can also lead to digestive disorders. Therefore, even if you want to eat fruit, it is best to wait 1-2 hours after a meal.
Eating fruit before meals is better than eating fruit after meals. Our stomach is already mostly empty before a meal. After eating fruit, the sugars in the fruit can quickly convert to glucose in the body, which is easier for the body to absorb. As the sugar content in the blood increases, the feeling of emptiness in the stomach decreases. In addition, the dietary fiber in fruit can give a feeling of fullness to the stomach, suppressing excessive appetite. Therefore, when it is time for a normal meal, one naturally will not overeat. This method is very suitable for controlling diet. Furthermore, eating fruit before meals is also very beneficial for the absorption of various vitamins and minerals, allowing you to obtain sufficient nutritional supply during a pleasant meal.
