The saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." According to traditional Chinese medicine, apples have a sweet and slightly sour taste, and they are neutral in nature. They have the effects of moistening the lungs, quenching thirst, nourishing the spleen, and invigorating the stomach. Apples are beneficial for regulating the spleen and stomach. They are rich in pectin, trace elements, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, which have positive effects on beauty, anti-aging, and digestion. In short, apples are good for you, but they need to be eaten correctly to maximize their benefits. So, when is the best time to eat apples?
The Best Time to Eat Apples
Eating fruit in the morning is "gold," in the afternoon is "silver," and in the evening is "copper." Eight or nine in the morning is when the spleen and stomach are most active, and it is also when the body's yang energy becomes more active. Eating foods with high nutritional content during this time is easier to absorb. By the evening, the spleen and stomach are not as active as during the day, so it is better to focus on quality rather than quantity for breakfast. Eating an apple after breakfast is relatively beneficial. This is why the saying goes: "A golden apple in the morning, a silver apple at noon, and a copper apple in the evening." As for whether to peel the apple or not, it is actually not necessary. Apple peels have a high content of flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant properties. Therefore, it makes sense that apples can help prevent cancer and aging.
The Correct Way to Eat Apples
It is best to eat an apple in 15 minutes. Apples have high nutritional value and contain various vitamins and acids. However, when eating an apple, it is important to chew slowly and thoroughly. This not only aids digestion but also helps maintain oral hygiene. If it takes 15 minutes to finish an apple, the organic acids and fruit acids in the apple can kill bacteria in the mouth. Therefore, eating an apple slowly is beneficial for overall health.
Recommended Apple Consumers:
1. Generally, most people can eat apples. They are particularly suitable for infants, the elderly, and middle-aged people.
2. Suitable for patients with chronic gastritis, indigestion, and stagnation of Qi.
3. Suitable for patients with constipation, chronic diarrhea, and neurogenic enteritis.
4. Suitable for patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.
5. Suitable for obese individuals as it can aid in weight loss.
Individuals Who Should Avoid:
1. Patients with ulcerative colitis: Patients with ulcerative colitis should not eat raw apples, especially during acute flare-ups. The thinning of the intestinal wall during flare-ups, combined with the hard texture of apples and the stimulation from 1.2% dietary fiber and 0.5% organic acids, is not conducive to the healing of intestinal ulcers. It can also potentially lead to complications such as intestinal perforation, intestinal dilation, and intestinal obstruction due to mechanical irritation to the intestinal wall.
2. Patients with leukopenia and prostate enlargement: Patients with leukopenia and prostate enlargement should avoid eating raw apples to prevent worsening of symptoms or affecting treatment outcomes.
3. Patients with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, kidney disease, and diabetes should consume apples with caution.
