Here's the answer and when to avoid it

Modern scientific research has shown that this is a myth. Be careful though, it's not the same for everyone. Confused? Let me explain in detail.

We all know how healthy it is to eat fruit every day. Experts even suggest 5 servings a day (how many of us actually follow this "rule"?). In our view, this is bad advice. The most valuable substances in fruit are found in the seeds, which we don't eat.

The fruit we consume is just water, sugars, and a bit of fiber.

If we get the time of day wrong when we eat fruit, we risk over-stimulating insulin, gaining weight, and raising cholesterol. This is now confirmed by many scientific studies.

For example, some say it makes the belly bloat and others say it makes losing weight harder. This comes from the fact that fruit contains oligosaccharides and fiber, two food components that slow the transit of food through the gut.

Statistically, the best moment is breakfast. Fruit should be eaten, not drunk (no juices or smoothies, especially packaged ones), and ideally paired with some unsalted nuts. The fats in nuts prevent the sugars in fruit from over-stimulating insulin production.

Some people can eat fruit after lunch without gaining weight, but it has to be evaluated case by case.

Who should avoid fruit after meals?

As mentioned, some people should avoid eating fruit after meals to prevent worsening symptoms tied to their condition. If you are not in one of these cases, you have the green light:

• Ulcerative colitis: an inflammatory disease that affects the colon and rectum. The causes are not yet known but, according to experts, it could be an autoimmune and genetic problem. It is a chronic disease that alternates between active and inactive phases. In the first case, hospitalization may sometimes be needed. Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the inflammation: diarrhea with mucus and blood, abdominal cramps, bloating, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia.
• Irritable bowel syndrome: a disorder that affects the colon, does not cause permanent damage, and is not the source of serious illness, although it can be uncomfortable. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. They mostly appear when you follow an unbalanced diet or during periods of strong stress. Why this condition affects some people is currently unknown. According to experts, it could be a sensitivity of the colon and large intestine. The immune system may play an important role in all this.
• Bloating: abdominal swelling along with flatulence and local pain. It can also come with rumbling sounds. The causes are excessive consumption of foods that produce intestinal gas, including fruit, or food intolerances. The lining of the gut can be especially sensitive and very reactive to stress, for example.