Drinking Apple Juice Before Bed: Should You Do It?

Apple juice, only ever second best to orange juices in popularity worldwide. Whether homemade or store-bought, it remains a favorite of both young and old alike. Not to be confused with apple cider, though, which, as the name implies, comes from the same source. One can often tell the difference by their properties – apple cider is usually a cloudy, caramel color with a sweet and acidic taste, but apple juice is a clear, amber color with a sweeter taste.

Now, is drinking apple juice before bed good for you? Readers may have come across several internet myths surrounding this question on online chatrooms and forums or perhaps heard Bob or Sandra talking about it. We would be exploring the mystery that surrounds this beloved drink and perhaps, even finds out if ‘apple juice dreams’ is a thing or just another online legend. Read on to learn more.

What you can find in apple juice

An apple a day keeps the doctor away… as the saying goes. Whole apples, being fresh and natural, are healthy choices with beneficial nutrients, and apple juices, considering the amount of processing are less so.

Pros of drinking it

1. It keeps the body hydrated, thanks to its water content. Many pediatricians recommend a 1:1 mixture of apple juice and water for sick kids Trusted Source Gastroenteritis in Children - PubMed Acute gastroenteritis is defined as a diarrheal disease of rapid onset, with or without nausea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal pain. In the United States, acute gastroenteritis accounts for 1.5 million office visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and 300 deaths in children each year. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov older than a year who suffer mild dehydration.
2. It has been shown to support the brain thanks to its antioxidant constituents. Some studies have even shown that apple juice has the potential to protect your brain functions from the deterioration that comes with old age.
3. It has been indicated as capable of helping with weight loss thanks to its polyphenols, flavonoids, and fiber content. Studies have shown that polyphenols possess anti-obesity properties Trusted Source Dietary flavonoid intake and weight maintenance: three prospective cohorts of 124,086 US men and women followed for up to 24 years - PubMed Higher intake of foods rich in flavonols, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and flavonoid polymers may contribute to weight maintenance in adulthood and may help to refine dietary recommendations for the prevention of obesity and its potential consequences. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov .

Cons of drinking it

1. Turning apples into juices often results in the loss of some nutrients, and extra additives (especially in factory-made ones), can pose certain health risks.
2. It can lead to tooth decay because of its sugar content.
3. It can lead to weight gain. This may sound contradictory because it was previously stated that apple juices could help with weight loss. But, when compared to the fruit itself, apple juice is far easier to consume and has less filling leading to more consumption, more intake of sugar, and consequently weight gain. Be careful.
4. It doesn’t provide all the necessary nutrients, and this is true even for packaged juice. So, mix up your fruits and vegetables.

How does apple juice affect the brain?

As much as we hate to break it to you, crazy dreams from apple or ‘apple juice dreams’ remain unproven by science, but apple juice still does have effects on the brain.

Apples contain substances with antioxidizing properties called quercetin Trusted Source 10 foods to help boost your brain power - CNN.com Just like the right diet can prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, or cancer, health experts are finding that certain foods may boost your mind. edition.cnn.com . The antioxidizing properties slow down the effect of free radicals and reduce brain cell death.

Apple juices and other apple products also maintain acetylcholine levels in the brain. Trusted Source Apple juice concentrate maintains acetylcholine levels following dietary compromise - PubMed Oxidative stress contributes to age-related cognitive decline. In some instances, consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidant can provide superior protection than supplementation with purified antioxidants. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov They also contain vitamin B6, which is known to increase the vividness of dreams and aid dream recall. It is also thought to increase the likelihood of lucid dreams. Perhaps, this is where the ‘apple juice dreams’ had their origins.

FAQs

Which fruit juice is better to drink at night?

Grape juice. A sip of 100% grape juice contains simple carbs, which trigger insulin production to make you sleepy. Additionally, grape juice contains resveratrol which makes body fat easier to break down. This amazing drink helps you break down fat while you sleep. Echinacea tea, while technically not a juice, it fits the bill for nightly drinking. It is known to boost the immune system and has soothing effects that can aid sleep. You can add Celestial Seasonings herbal tea to your bedtime routine to start enjoying the benefits.

What to take to fall asleep faster?

A soy protein shake. According to experts, it improves sleep quality by boosting the secretion of melatonin. If supplements are rather your thing, you can also try SugarBear Sleep Vegan Gummy Vitamins – which are just as potent as other natural sleep-inducing substances. Problems with falling asleep vary from person to person sleep vary among people. For some, sleep comes the moment they hit the bed, but for others, it comes only after hours of tossing and turning, and it isn’t helped if you don’t know how to wake without alarms. Others might struggle to sleep after powering through the day on caffeine or may need a more comfortable mattress.

Best time to drink apple juice

Apple juice, as well as all other juices, are best taken in the first half of the day, specifically mornings. It is also a great choice of drink before and after exercise as its complex sugars serve as sources of energy during workouts and replenish lost nutrients after workouts.

Final Thoughts

So far, we have also seen the effects of apple juices on the body and even unraveled their mysterious relationship with sleep. And as with a lot of other substances, apple juices are safe when taken in the right amounts. It only becomes a problem when in excess. So, while some might deride drinking apple juice before bed for probably being a bad idea, as it can increase blood sugar levels, causing hyperactivity that makes it difficult to sleep, and increasing the number of trips to the bathroom, this isn’t the full story. Its potential role in possible hyperactivity and its consequences can result from excess consumption. Weight loss and improved memories are a good deal for probable hyperactivity. Just be sure to watch out for excess consumption.

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