Surprising Side Effects Of Eating Too Much Fruit
Fruit is an important part of a healthy diet. Most fruits are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. While it's difficult to overeat fruit, there are some side effects you should be aware of before you indulge in that fruit tray.
As mentioned, it can be difficult to eat too much fruit. This is because fruit is very filling with its high water and fiber content (via Medical News Today). Most people will feel full long before they begin to experience any negative side effects. In fact, the majority of the population does not meet the minimum recommendation of two servings of fruit per day.
Some people are concerned about the sugar content in fruit and think eating too much will contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle. Even though many fruits are high in sugar, research shows that fruit does not lead to obesity. It can actually have an anti-obesity effect because of its ability to fill people up with a low-calorie amount.
Negative side effects mostly involve digestion
Even though it is very difficult to eat too much fruit, it can happen. If this does happen, the negative side effects will mostly be related to digestion because of fruit's high fiber content. "Risks associated with excess fruit intake include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, and potential nutrient deficiencies if excess fruit is replacing other important nutrients in the diet," Malina Malkani, RDN, told Well + Good.
So what is the ideal amount of fruit to eat in a day? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends two cups per day for an adult. That's the equivalent of one large apple, two large bananas, two medium grapefruits, two large oranges, or 16 large strawberries (via Well + Good).
Whole fruit makes a great snack that is extra filling when combined with some protein and healthy fats. Try eating an apple with some nut butter or a banana with a low-sugar granola bar the next time you need a snack. You can also blend fruit into smoothies to easily get two cups in at once.