Amidst the rising trend of healthy living, many people have adopted the habit of choosing fruit for breakfast. However, nutrition expert Thai Duy An from Taiwan warns that certain fruits should absolutely not be consumed on an empty stomach, as they can cause stomach discomfort, burning sensations, and even lead to low blood sugar.
Here are 5 fruits to avoid on an empty stomach:
Pineapple
Marinating meat with pineapple before cooking makes it tender due to bromelain, a pineapple enzyme that breaks down protein. However, consuming pineapple on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach lining, leading to discomfort or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen for some individuals.
Lychee
Lychees are sweet, juicy, and stimulate the taste buds. However, eating lychees on an empty stomach can cause blood sugar levels to spike, stimulating the body to release too much insulin. This can lead to symptoms of hypoglycemia. Diabetics should be especially mindful of this.
Persimmon
Persimmons contain high sugar content, which can quickly raise blood sugar levels, making them not recommended for consumption on an empty stomach.
Furthermore, absolutely avoid eating unripe persimmons. Green persimmons contain a large amount of tannins, which, when combined with stomach acid, can form precipitates that cause bloating and stomach pain. Many people have encountered situations where they cut open a persimmon, realized it was not fully ripe, but still tried to eat it. Experts advise that for unripe fruits, it is best to wait or discard them.
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Eating pineapple on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach lining, causing discomfort or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen for some people. Photo: Bui Thuy. |
Papaya
Similar to pineapple, papaya contains the enzyme papain, which helps break down protein. Therefore, this fruit is suitable for consumption after meals, especially after meat-heavy meals, to aid digestion.
Lemon
While no one eats a whole lemon directly, many people make a glass of lemon water every morning to supplement vitamin C for skin beauty. However, if prepared incorrectly (too concentrated) and consumed on an empty stomach, lemon's strong acidity will irritate the stomach lining, cause discomfort, and even increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux.
Nutrition expert Thai Duy An further notes that whether one can eat these fruits on an empty stomach depends on individual constitution and health. However, if consumed, it is important to control the portion size and absolutely avoid eating a large amount at once to protect one's health.
My Y (According to HK01)
