The Truth About Fruit

As small children, we have all been told, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. So, ever since we were small, we would assume the consumption of apples, alongside other fruits, is a healthy choice and alternative to sugary treats and snacks. This is not necessarily true. Fruit does have essential and necessary antioxidants, vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy growth and development, while preventing illness and promoting a strong immune system, but fruit is also loaded with sugar.

I know what your thinking, “but it's natural sugar” and you would be correct. Yes, fruit does contain natural sugars, but sugar is sugar, whether it is natural or created by man. Just because the sugar found in fruit is natural, doesn't mean we can consume it in large quantities. Even though it is an alternative to sweets, treats, sodas, and candy bars, it does not necessarily mean it is healthy to eat a large amount of fruit throughout the day.

Do not get me wrong, by no means am I saying fruit is unhealthy and should not be consumed at all, but I am saying fruit is unhealthy when consumed in large quantities in a single sitting. There is a specific time of day that fruit should be consumed to avoid health problems for the future.

Fruit should only be consumed early in the morning, when your body's glucose levels are at it's all time low. Eating fruit for breakfast is a healthy choice. During sleep our body uses glucose to fuel the brain, and due to this, upon awakening, our body's glucose levels are extremely low, and need to be refilled. So when you eat fruit in the morning, the sugar glucose will be properly used to fuel your body, muscles, and organs and will not be stored in the body as excess and unwanted fat.

Another great, and acceptable time to eat fruit, is right before a high intensity workout or activity that is challenging on the body. Eating fruit right before a grueling and challenging physical activity will not only give you sustainable energy needed for such, but the glucose released will be used to aid in flooding protein into your muscles, creating necessary strength and endurance. All the while aiding your muscles in growth and development.

Eating fruit late at night or even mid-day when you are the least active, and when your glucose levels are normal or high, can be destructive to your diet, weight, and overall health. Since sugar is the main cause for obesity and diabetes, people should realize that fruit can contribute to these statistics and factors. Some fruits have higher sugar content than others, but the reality is, is that all fruit contains sugar, and everyone should moderate and control their sugar level intake on a regular basis to avoid health issues later on in life.

Sugar found in fruit, just like a candy bar, can cause obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. Too much sugar in ones diet causes a surge in glucose, spiking insulin levels, and ultimately causing the body to store access glucose as fat.

Please note: some fruits may not be listed.

Everyone wants to be able to eat what they want, when they want to eat it, but frankly, if you want to keep your weight and health in check, that is just not the case. In moderation fruit can be very beneficial and healthy, but if abused and consumed regularly in large quantities, fruit, just as with Twinkies, can cause negative health effects. So, if your going to eat an apple a day, to try to keep the doctor away, make sure you consume that apple first thing in the morning, or before grueling physical activity, otherwise, that apple may just be the cause for your next doctors visit.