Oranges, lemons, grapefruits. They are very healthy and nutritious, but at night they can cause us problems. Is it appropriate to have citrus fruits for dinner? Find out why it might not be as suitable as you think.
Fruit is one of the best foods out there. It can be taken at any time of the day thanks to its amount of vitamins A and C, and minerals. The fruit is indicated in the Mediterranean diet, where it is advisable to always take it in season, also for praising the local and proximity product.
Now, there are certain fruits that it is perhaps better to avoid at the end of the day, in the same way that certain foods are not advisable for dinner, because they influence our digestion process. We will see why it is not appropriate to take citrus at night.
Reasons why it might be inappropriate to eat citrus fruits after dinner
Fructose
Although it is not entirely proven that eating fruit at night is bad, some studies indicate that fruit provides a large amount of fructose, something that is converted to glucose.
Consuming it at the end of the night does not allow it to burn properly as we remain at rest to go to sleep.
Increased acidity
Both oranges and lemons, that is, citrus fruits are quite acidic. At night this great acidity can make us feel heavy and increase heartburn.
It is a strange and unpleasant sensation, much like when we eat abundantly at night or have opted for spicy food. This also applies to orange juices, especially if they are natural and lemon; better to take them at another time of day.
Digestive problems
Together with the above, acidity is related to the stomach and citrus fruits at night can offer other digestive problems. Many times, overusing citrus fruits can lead to unwanted tummy aches and diarrhea.
Of course, as with most foods, we must bear in mind that citrus fruits, like other fruits, are totally healthy foods, whose consumption is always recommended (and, in addition, daily). Therefore, if consuming citrus fruits at night is good for you and does not cause you any harm, then there is no reason to avoid taking them.
When it is more appropriate to take citrus:
It is recommended that the ideal time to have oranges, limes or kiwis is the first hour of the day. Also at noon. And in the afternoon it is better to opt for another kind of fruit, with less acidity and lighter.
So what to drink overnight?
In view of the fact that it is better not to eat certain foods for dinner, what should we consume at this time? Well, the lighter the dinner, the better, since acidity will once again be one of the reasons why a somewhat abundant meal at night can make us feel bad.
We can eat fruit, based on fruit salad, such as banana, apple or pear, which will help us regulate our intestines. They should be light dinners, with vegetable creams, soups, grilled fish or cereals and yogurts. Lean meat is also another option: rabbit, turkey, chicken, or pork tenderloin.
We remember that nutritionists recommend eating 5 meals a day. In the morning, a hearty breakfast, where citrus fruits can be the protagonist, in the form of juice or whole fruit.
At mid-morning it is also possible to have a kiwi or an orange, lunch, a snack and a light dinner that does not need to include citrus fruits, as we have been commenting on in this article.
What are the benefits of citrus fruits?
Although they are not eaten at night, it must be recognized that these fruits have many benefits for the body. They prevent various diseases such as flu or colds because they are good in vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, potassium, copper and sulfur that our body needs to function properly.
In addition, they protect the immune system, stimulate glandular secretions and balance blood pressure. As long as it is not at night, consuming citrus fruits help protect the stomach, relieving heartburn.
In turn, taking citrus fruits helps prevent certain conditions in the body by purifying the organs and regenerating tissues. Lemon, for example, helps improve tooth enamel.
They are also good for headaches, especially natural juices. And everyone is known that both lemon and orange (if it is with honey, better) act as a natural remedy for sore throats and inflammation of the tonsils.
