Strawberries have everything to please: little calorie, rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they stand out as the Star Fruit in spring. The dietician Vanessa Bedjai-Haddad reminded us of “recently that they are to be consumed ideally between the months of May and June. But a doubt persists for certain amateurs: are the strawberries really recommended in the evening, before going to bed? Anaïs Soize, dietician, helps us to disentangle the popular beliefs of the real impacts on digestion and sleep.
A bad digestive reputation in the evening
The main reproach makes strawberries concerns their supposedly difficult digestibility at dinner time. “”The main idea on strawberries concerns their digestibility and the fact that they can thus generate discomfort, which could prevent sleeping“Explains Anaïs Soize. Another argument put forward by some rest on their vitamin C content, known for its tonic effect. But the expert wants to put into perspective.
“”For this specific point, this is false. It is not a too high vitamin C rate that will prevent you from sleeping, except possibly if you have really very excessive consumption“.
On the other hand, it recognizes that for people with a sensitive stomach or gastroesophageal reflux, strawberries can actually generate inconvenience, especially if the fruits are still a little acidic.
“”This is possible, if the strawberries are not sufficiently ripe. They will then be relatively acidic, without forgetting the seeds which can be unclear too, for some people and cause them discomfort. So especially if we are sensitive to acidity, if we suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, indeed it is better to avoid strawberries, in the evening “ she confirms.
The unsuspected benefits of strawberries on sleep
Apart from these special cases, strawberries have no reason to be banned from dinner. On the contrary. “There is not necessarily any need to exclude it from sleep. On the contrary, it is a fruit which will be very rich in water, in fibers, which is not caloric at all and which will therefore not raise the sugar level in the blood“emphasizes Anaïs Soize.
Digestion remains light and rapid, which promotes peaceful sleep. But that’s not all.
“”Antioxidants and anthocyanas who bring the strawberry color will also be interesting because they are pioneers of hormones like serotonin and melatonin, which soothe stress and help regulation in terms of sleep, while preventing night awakenings “ she said.
Up to 200 grams of strawberries without moderation
Consuming strawberries in the evening is therefore quite possible for a majority of people, as long as the fruits are well ripe and consumed natural, without added sugar. It is even possible to have fun without counting. “”In terms of consumption, you can eat up to 200 grams of fresh strawberries, without problem“Concludes the dietician.