Eating strawberries before bed might aid sleep quality and speed up onset owing to it being rich in tryptophan. Tryptophan helps in producing melatonin, an essential sleep hormone. All of these two main hormones have been found to have a strong positive effect on sleep quality.
There is no empirical evidence that when you eat fruit at night, you will gain weight. Categorically, if you are going to consume something right before you get to bed, fruit is one of the greatest alternatives you could make.
Just to let you know, strawberries are the only fruit that contains seeds on the outside! However, what actually makes this fruit so remarkable is the health benefits you get when you eat it.
Strawberries are rich in nutrients, several of which might impact sleep length and quality.
There are a few myths that people hold about strawberries at bedtime.
Here are some of them:
- Eating fruit before bed can interfere with digestion and affect better sleep.
- Consuming fruit before going to sleep could be risky for diabetes.
Therefore, these skewed ideas feel that fruits should be eaten in the morning or before having dinner.
Is it Okay to Eat Strawberries before Sleep?
According to Healthline, you can eat strawberries before sleep. Avoid consuming too many strawberries right at bedtime. Nutritionists do not recommend eating more than 600 grams of strawberries because it would be equivalent to 200 calories. This would be an unsuitable amount of calories right before you go to sleep.
Are you afraid of eating strawberries thinking you can’t digest them and it will affect your sleep?
Good news!
There is no problem with eating strawberries at night. In fact, the recommended limits mainly apply to people who have high blood pressure or diabetes.
Your only concern should be eating sugar-dense foods just before bed. Most other fruits are generally safe.
For strawberries, it is a yes! And it’s actually encouraged.
The vitamin C and melatonin found in strawberries both promote healthy sleep. Besides, these two make up part of the body’s antioxidants in the fruit. As a result, strawberries can counteract the oxidative stress caused by sleep disorders.
How Much Strawberry is Bad at Night?
Excess of something, even the healthiest foods can be dangerous. What about strawberries? Overall, one cup (about 160 grams of sliced strawberries) contains 53 calories.
That means the fruit is quite safe for consumption for almost all people.
You can have two cups of strawberries at night and still stay way below the recommended 200-calorie mark for late-night snacks.
Effects of Eating Too Many Strawberries before Bed
Moderate consumption of strawberries at bedtime should have no effect.
If you don’t have a known strawberry allergy, eating one cup of the fruit will not have any side effects.
Excessive consumption of strawberries just before bed, alongside other factors, could cause heartburn, bloating, and gas.
Always remember to consult with your doctor as soon as you notice any strange signs.
For example, strawberries should not cause any side effects and any adverse signs should be treated as a good reason to see your doctor.
You might also want to be cautious when you have underlying medical conditions or you’re taking specific medications that may be unsafe with strawberries.
Some medicines are moved by pumps into cells. When you consume strawberries, the fruit could inhibit those pumps by making them less active. It could reduce how much medication you absorb in the body.
Overall, a common concern is that you could develop stomach upset when you eat too much strawberry at night.
Having discussed all that, what is the best time to eat strawberries?
What is the Best Time to Eat Strawberries?
The best time to eat strawberries is any time (morning, midday, and at night) because the fruit does not contain excess calories. There’s no evidence that you should avoid fruit in the afternoon, at night, or around meals.
Fruits are healthy, nutritious foods that can be eaten throughout the day.
That said, there are a few instances when the timing of your fruit intake might make a difference.