They say "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". According to traditional Chinese medicine, apples have a sweet and slightly sour taste and are considered to have the effects of moistening the lungs, relieving thirst, nourishing the spleen, and invigorating the stomach. Apples are rich in pectin, trace elements, antioxidant compounds, 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 an apple?
Eating fruit in the morning is "gold", in the afternoon is "silver", and in the evening is "copper". The spleen and stomach are most active around 8-9 am, and the body's yang energy becomes more active at this time. Eating foods with high nutrient content is easier to absorb during this time. By the evening, the spleen and stomach are not as active as during the day, so it is better to have a nutritious breakfast and eat an apple afterwards. That's why there's a saying: "A golden apple in the morning, a silver apple at noon, and a copper apple at night." As for whether to peel the apple or not, it is actually not necessary. Apple peels contain high levels of flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant properties, so it makes sense that apples can help prevent cancer and slow down aging.
Eating an apple within 15 minutes is best. Apples are high in nutritional value, containing various vitamins and acids. However, when eating an apple, it is important to chew slowly and swallow, as this is not only beneficial for 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 good for one's health.
Suitable for:
1. Most people can eat apples, especially infants, the elderly, and those with chronic gastritis, indigestion, and stagnant qi.
2. Suitable for patients with chronic gastritis, indigestion, and functional constipation, as well as those with neurogenic enteritis.
3. Suitable for patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.
4. Suitable for obese individuals as it aids in weight loss.
Not suitable for:
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 and the hard texture of the apple, combined with the stimulation of 1.2% dietary fiber and 0.5% organic acids, are not conducive to the healing of ulcerative colitis ulcers and can lead to complications such as intestinal perforation, intestinal dilation, and intestinal obstruction.
2. Patients with leukopenia and enlarged prostate: Patients with leukopenia and enlarged prostate should not eat raw apples to avoid worsening symptoms or affecting treatment outcomes.
3. Patients with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, kidney disease, and diabetes should eat apples with caution.
