Can You Eat Granny Smith Apples Raw? [Including On An Empty Stomach]

When you walk into the produce section of the grocery store, you may be overwhelmed by the different varieties of apples. However, one well-known apple, the bright-green Granny Smith apple, is always easy to spot. So, if you're wondering whether you can snack on this apple raw, you've come to the right place. We've researched the topic and have an answer for you!

You can eat a granny smith apple raw and on an empty stomach. In fact, there are a number of benefits to eating a granny smith apple, both raw and on an empty stomach.

Now that you know you can eat a granny smith apple raw, you can dig in whenever you feel like having a snack. However, if you're curious about some of the benefits of eating a granny smith apple on an empty stomach, please, keep reading as we discuss this further. Additionally, we'll answer some other questions you might have about eating apples.

Granny Smith Apples: Eating Them Raw

There aren't any apples that can't be eaten raw. However, apples can be divided into two main categories: culinary apples and dessert apples. Despite the fact you can eat both culinary and dessert apples raw, dessert apples will generally taste better raw than a culinary apple.

Granny smith apples fall into the dessert apple category, so they are generally tasty to eat raw. However, they do have a tart taste. If you'd rather have a sweeter apple to eat, try a Red Delicious, Fuji, or McIntosh apple.

Granny Smith apples make great cooking apples. They are great baked into pies, crumbles, and other fruit desserts. While raw apples certainly provide the best nutritional value, cooked apples can also offer some benefits.

Benefits of Raw Apples

You've probably heard the saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well, there's definitely some truth to this. Let's discuss some of the benefits of snacking on a raw apple.

Vitamins & Fiber

Apples are full of fiber and vitamin C. Apples are great for those trying to lose weight as they can make you feel fuller longer. This means you might be able to curb some other cravings by eating an apple. Apples are also full of vitamins that are good for vision, hair, and skin. Furthermore, they can also help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Combating Cancer, IBS & Diabetes

Apples can even help reduce the growth of cancer cells. Also, if you suffer from IBS, they can help soothe painful spasms. Although, in this case, the trick is to peel them first. The peel is part of the apple that consists of insoluble fiber, which might cause you more issues with IBS. Apples, because of their antioxidants, can also lower the chance of Type 2 Diabetes.

Benefits of Eating a Green Apple on an Empty Stomach

So, we've talked about the benefits of eating a green apple, but does eating one on an empty stomach provide even more? Let's find out.

Phytochemicals

In addition to all the benefits we've just mentioned, eating a green apple on an empty stomach is a great way to start the day. Apples are full of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are the part of the apple that can help fight cancer and are full of antioxidants.

Most fruits and vegetables are full of phytochemicals, so diets rich in these have been proven to fight numerous potential health ailments. It's definitely more beneficial to your health to grab an apple instead of a donut first thing in the morning!

Fight Hunger

Eating an apple on an empty stomach can help fight hunger, perfect for those trying to lose weight. Apples are low-calorie and full of insoluble fiber, which helps you feel fuller longer. So, if you want to eat less food during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snack on an apple first.

Great For Diabetics

If you are diabetic, apples are even more beneficial. Apples have little to no effect on blood sugar because of the type of sugar that is found in them. Eating an apple on an empty stomach or before a meal can actually help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.

Are Granny Smith Apples Easy to Digest?

Uncooked apples are slow to digest which is also the case for Granny Smith apples. However, a study has shown that despite the fact Granny Smith apples are slow to digest, they promote the growth of "good bacteria," which helps aid digestion.

Out of a number of apples tested, Granny Smith apples showed the most promising results for their effect on good gut bacteria.

BRAT Diet

It's been long known that the BRAT diet was often recommended to those suffering from the stomach flu or virus. While it's not been proven to help and no longer recommended, it comprised foods that were easy to digest and low in fiber: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It may sound counterintuitive, but apples are able to help with both constipation and diarrhea.

When is the Best Time to Eat a Green Apple?

The best time to eat a green apple is widely disputed. Some will recommend eating green apples first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach. However, the benefits of eating a green apple do not go away depending on the time of day you eat one.

You will still get the nutrients from the apple whether you eat it first thing in the morning or in the evening. An apple is a great snack any time of day!

Can I Eat an Apple at Night?

Again, this is also often disputed. Some will recommend avoiding apples at night as they may increase gas and wreak havoc on your digestive system. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this.

In fact, others will recommend eating an apple in the evening to help curb late-night cravings for the not-so-healthy snacks you might otherwise indulge in. Apples can also help promote sleep.

What Should I eat in the Morning on an Empty Stomach?

So by now, you should be aware that apples are a great option when deciding what to eat on an empty stomach. However, if you're not a creature of habit, and you don't want to eat an apple for breakfast every day, you may be wondering what other options there are.

Fruit

We know apples fall into this category, but they aren't the only fruit that you can benefit from eating on an empty stomach. Fresh fruit is full of useful nutrients and vitamins. Your body will benefit from these nutrients much faster if you eat them on an empty stomach. Watermelon is one of the most recommended fruit to eat in the morning, along with kiwi, papaya, and blueberries.

Soaked Raisins

This might not sound as appetizing, but if you're someone that struggles with constipation, eating water-soaked raisins can help you get things moving along. Eating them on an empty stomach will help the laxative effects work more quickly.

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Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another fibrous food that can help with your digestive tract. Also, it's a hearty breakfast and, like apples, it can help you feel fuller longer. Making it a good choice for those trying to maintain a healthy weight. Another perk to oatmeal is that it can help lower cholesterol!

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Eggs

Most of the benefits of eating these foods on an empty stomach are their ability to help you feel fuller longer. Eggs are another food you can add to this list. It's a fact that eggs can offer a number of benefits to your body, but eating them on an empty stomach will provide additional help with weight loss.

Whole Wheat Toast

If you'd rather have a more traditional breakfast item like toast. You're in luck. You don't have to give up your morning toast in order to have a nutritious breakfast on an empty stomach. However, the type of bread you choose is important. If you decide toast will remain your go-to, make sure you're opting for whole wheat bread.

Final Thoughts

If you've read this far, you've probably learned a whole lot more about eating Granny Smith apples than you intended. BUT, we hope this is a good thing! Now you know you can and should eat a Granny Smith apple, or any kind of apple for that matter, on an empty stomach! Eating apples offer so many benefits to your overall health and should be a snack you keep handy often.

For more reading on the topic of apples, check out some of our other blog posts:

Can You Use Frozen Apples For Pies?

How To Freeze Apple Butter—4 Steps To Follow!