Are you eating fruits the right way?

It's needless to say that eating lots of fruits regularly is linked to a wide range of health benefits. But how you eat them is equally important to obtain the maximum benefits. So, in this article, we will discuss some guidelines regarding eating fruits that you should maintain from now on. A healthy diet is never complete if you don't incorporate fruits in it. Packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more - fruits help improve digestion, aid in weight loss, enhance skin & hair health, promote cardiovascular functions, prevent the risk of certain types of cancer, etc. However, as evidence suggests, they are most effective when eaten in the right way. Now, read ahead to get a comprehensive idea about that. The best time to eat fruits Research has found that eating fruits first thing in the morning with a glass of water is the best option. However, there's no harm if you eat fruits as a snack in the afternoon. But never eat them right after a heavy meal, as they cannot be digested properly in your body. So, make sure to leave at least a 2-hour gap between a meal and a fruit snack. Avoid fruit juices Many people prefer drinking a glass of fruit juice regularly at breakfast. However, juice can never replace the whole fruit, when it comes to health benefits. In the juicing process, the fruit's pulp, as well as skin, are left behind which are filled with nutrients, especially dietary fiber. Also, when you drink fruit juice, it raises your blood sugar levels in a very quick way. So, avoid them and stick to the whole fruits instead. Do not ever mix fruits Fruit salad is considered a healthy meal all across the world. But as experts suggest, you should never mix fruits. Different fruits have different speeds of digestion, and so, eating them together may make it hard for your digestive system to work properly. This can lead you to several issues such as diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, etc. in the long run. So, always have the fruit solo. Eat with your hands This may sound surprising, but eating fruits with hands is associated with a lot more benefits. Ayurveda has found that this practice increases the release of certain juices and enzymes in the stomach, which further help aid in the digestion process. So, ditch the fork and use your hands to eat fruits. Last but not the least, eating cooked fruits is a big no-no, as it destroys the nutritional value.