Fruits are excellent foods that provide your body with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Despite these benefits, some people question whether consuming too much fruit could lead to weight gain. The answer to this question is not that straightforward since factors such as fruit type, caloric content, and daily diet play a vital role in this ordeal.
In this article, we will dissect the relationship between humans and fruits, as well as the scientific research that covers their effects on body composition.
Humans and fruits
Similar to modern human beings, ancient humans required these three macronutrients to survive:
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Protein
By hunting animals, our ancestors were able to acquire their daily requirement of lipids and protein; however, animal meat is not a rich source of carbs.
For this reason, humans opted for fruits growing on trees to supply their bodies with these vital compounds.
The relationship between humans and fruits has prospered ever since, especially with the invention of farming that helped produce these healthy, delicious treats in massive quantities.
Aside from providing carbs, fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that help balance the body’s metabolic processes to keep us healthy.
Furthermore, the carbohydrates found in fruits are mostly composed of glucose and fructose, but in this case, the quality of these sugars is superior to any other product on the market.
Eating too much fruit and fat
Perhaps the fear of getting fat after eating too much fruit stems from a common nutrition myth that claims a calorie is a calorie (regardless of where you get it from).
The reasoning behind this belief is that all foods will get broken down into simple structures, which eventually become a source of energy.
For instance, getting 100 calories from a candy bar or bananas is the same, according to this myth.
In reality, calories are not created equal. While they hold the same amount of energy, the source of your calories has a tremendous impact on your health.
With all of that said, if you consume too much fruit with high caloric content, the extra energy can be stored as fatty acids. Consequently, you may notice that you are gaining weight.
The good news is that overconsuming fruits is not an easy task due to their high content of fiber and water – both are potent hunger-suppressing substances. In other words, you will start to feel satiated before reaching the amount of fruit that will make you gain fat.
Albeit, moderation is always key, whether you are consuming fruits, vegetables, or any other food element.
Takeaway message
Consuming too much fruit does not directly cause weight gain. However, we still recommend moderation to avoid unnecessary adverse effects.
We hope that this article answered your questions by explaining how the body deals with fruits.
If you still have any questions about the effects of fruits on body fat, do not hesitate to let us know in the comment section below.
