Eating an apple at night can be a great way to stave off hunger pangs until dinner time. In fact, several studies suggest that snacking on fruit can help you stay satiated for hours or even days. However, snacking on apples alone can come with its own side effects. If you’re a night owl who eats apples late in the evening, you might have to wait a few days before you can enjoy another one. That’s because apples are extremely rich in resveratrol, a potent antioxidant found in grape skins. In fact, apples have up to 10 times more resveratrol than applesauce. Because of their high concentration of resveratrol, apples have been widely acknowledged for their potent antioxidant punch. However, eating apples late at night may darken your taste buds, as well as your stomach. Let’s take a look at the side effects of eating an apple at night.
Table of Contents
What Are the Side Effects of Eating Apple at Night?
The darkening of your taste buds means that you might not taste the sweetness of your favorite fruits as much as you used to. This can be off-putting for certain foods like broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Some people also report a metallic aftertaste from eating apples. This is most likely due to the high concentration of iron in apples.
Why Does Apple Swallowing Come with Side Effects?
If you’re a late-night eater who likes to snack on apples, you might have to wait a few days before you can enjoy another one. Eating a late-night apple can cause a disruption in your digestive system. If your mid-afternoon meal involves a large meal or two snacks, you may experience abdominal cramps, sourness in your mouth, and an upset stomach. This can make it difficult to get through the day without a stomach ache.
Tips for Stomach-Punch-Free Eating at Night
If you do decide to take the plunge and eat an apple at night, you should know a few strategies that can help you avoid getting heartburn or acid reflux.
- Try to keep your dinner light It’s best to avoid heavy meals at night.
- Try to stick to a low-fat diet until dinner, and then consume a low-fat snack or salad half an hour later.
- Don’t wait until bedtime to eat. Eating an apple at any time of the day will cause a disruption in your digestive system. Instead of waiting until bedtime to eat, try to eat as soon as you get home from work or school.
- Don’t wait to be hungry to eat. We often overeat at night, and eating when you’re not hungry can make you feel sick. Instead, wait until you’re hungry and then eat.
Darkening of Taste Buds
When your taste buds are less sensitive, you’re likely to experience a duller taste after eating an apple at night. It’s normal to feel less full after eating an apple at night since your taste buds are less sensitive. However, you might experience a dark tingling flavor in your mouth when you touch your tongue to the inside of your cheek. This is normal and meant to indicate that your taste buds are no longer as sensitive.
Discomfort after Swallowing
If you’ve found that eating apples at night makes you feel a little queasy, you might want to re-evaluate your eating schedule. Most people experience mild stomach discomfort after eating an apple, though some feel sicker than others. If you find that you’re stomach is churning or you’re having difficulty breathing after eating an apple, it’s likely that your digestive system isn’t ready for another meal.
Summary
Eating an apple at night can be a great way to stave off hunger pangs until dinner time. In fact, several studies suggest that snacking on fruit can help you stay satiated for hours or even days. However, snacking on apples alone can come with its own side effects. If you’re a night owl who eats apples late in the evening, you might have to wait a few days before you can enjoy another one. That’s because apples are extremely rich in resveratrol, a potent antioxidant found in grape skins. In fact, apples have up to 10 times more resveratrol than applesauce. Because of their high concentration of resveratrol, apples have been widely acknowledged for their potent antioxidant punch. However, eating apples late at night may darken your taste buds, as well as your stomach. Let’s take a look at the side effects of eating an apple at night.