Are there any taboos about eating fruit on an empty stomach? Men should avoid these pitfalls in healthy eating.

Several Fruits That Should Not Be Eaten on an Empty Stomach

When a person is on an empty stomach, gastric acid secretion increases, and the concentration of gastric acid is higher. If gastric acid combines with substances containing pectin, persimmon tannin, and soluble astringents, it will form insoluble precipitates. If these precipitates form large clumps, they can block the pylorus, causing a series of uncomfortable reactions and digestive tract diseases. Therefore, some fruits should not be eaten on an empty stomach.

Tomatoes. They contain a large amount of pectin, persimmon tannin, and soluble astringents. When on an empty stomach, these components easily react chemically with gastric acid, coagulating into insoluble lumps. These lumps can block the pylorus—the exit of the stomach—increasing the pressure inside the stomach, causing acute gastric dilatation, which makes us feel bloated and painful.

Persimmons. Containing substances such as persimmon tannin, pectin, tannic acid, and tannin red, it has a strong astringent effect. When consumed on an empty stomach, especially when encountering strong stomach acid, it easily combines with the acid to form hard, insoluble lumps, causing "gastric bezoars," also known as "persimmon stone disease" in traditional Chinese medicine.

Bananas. Containing a large amount of magnesium, eating a large number of bananas on an empty stomach can cause a sudden increase in blood magnesium levels, leading to an imbalance in the magnesium-to-calcium ratio in the blood. This can have an inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular system and is detrimental to physical and mental health.

Oranges. Oranges contain a large amount of sugar and organic acids. Eating oranges on an empty stomach can irritate the gastric mucosa, causing bloating and acid reflux.

Sugarcane and fresh lychees. People should not consume excessive amounts of sugarcane and fresh lychees on an empty stomach, otherwise, the sudden ingestion of excessive sugar can cause "hyperosmolarity."

Hawthorn. It has a sour taste and can promote digestion; however, consuming it on an empty stomach not only depletes energy but also increases hunger and worsens stomach pain.

Eat the right fruit for the right illness.

Most fruits we eat have health benefits. If patients can selectively eat fruits appropriate to their symptoms, it is very beneficial for cooperating with clinical treatment and for recovery. However, eating fruit indiscriminately is not only unhelpful for recovery but can also harm health. Therefore, we advocate "eating the right fruit for the right illness."

Diabetes. It is advisable to eat fruits rich in pectin, which can regulate insulin secretion and lower blood sugar, such as pineapple, bayberry, and cherry; it is not advisable to eat fruits with high sugar content, such as dates, grapes, bananas, apples, figs, and lychees, to avoid... This can cause elevated blood sugar, which in turn increases the burden on the pancreas and affects the effectiveness of treatment.

Constipation and hemorrhoids: Bananas, pears, peaches, and oranges are recommended as they promote bowel movements. Persimmons, hawthorns, and apples should be avoided as they contain high levels of tannins, which have astringent and antidiarrheal effects and can easily cause constipation, worsening the condition.

Diarrhea: Grapes, pomegranates, apples, and bayberries are recommended as they have astringent properties. Bananas, pears, and watermelons, which are cooling and promote bowel movements, should be avoided as they can easily cause diarrhea and worsen the condition.

Anemia: Oranges and persimmons should be avoided as they contain high levels of tannins, which easily bind with iron ions, hindering the body's absorption of iron and worsening anemia.

Ulcers: Sour pears, lemons, bayberries, plums, and other acidic fruits should be avoided. Fruits with high acidity are not conducive to ulcer healing and may even worsen the condition due to excessive acidity.

Asthma. Fruits such as dates, which easily produce phlegm and generate heat, should be avoided, as they can exacerbate asthma.