The health expert explained why the popular fruit could cause unpleasant symptoms for some people
While the old saying goes that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, for some people, they are being urged to stay away from certain fruits, like apples, entirely. This is because they may experience unpleasant symptoms like bloating, diarrhoea and a host of other uncomfortable issues they’d likely rather avoid.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy told the Mirror: “It’s not uncommon for people to find difficulty metabolising fructose – a sugar found in fruits.” He said: “This can impact people in numerous ways with symptoms including bloating, increased flatulence and even diarrhoea.”
He also said that in some cases, fruit can cause an allergic reaction. “While reactions towards certain foods vary from person to person, it is not uncommon to experience a reaction to fruit, including apples,” Dr Grant added. “This can occur for various reasons.”
He explained: “In particular, apples are one of the most common foods that can cause oral allergy syndrome (OAS). This is where food causes an allergic response from the immune system due to the fruit’s proteins being similar to pollen proteins.”
Along with apples, pears, plums, and cherries, other fruits could also cause a reaction, the GP warned. He said: “A whole list of fruits can cause these common reactions, such as allergies or OAS. Firstly, pears, apples, plums and cherries are some of the main causes of OAS, with symptoms including swelling around the lips, mouth and tongue.
“Some of the most common fruits people have allergic reactions to include strawberries, kiwis and avocados. Like most allergies, the body will respond in hives, other symptoms of this allergic response are nausea and anaphylaxis.”
If you struggle to break down fructose, the doctor recommends avoiding fruits such as apples, pears and mangoes due to the high fructose content. Additionally, if you experience diarrhoea, he notes: “Dioralyte Sachets are a useful treatment for anyone suffering from diarrhoea.
“They help replace lost fluids and restore hydration. Helping the body better combat diarrhoea and quickly return to a normal state.”
The GP advised people to discuss any health concerns with their doctor. “It’s absolutely ordinary for people to have reactions to any food type, including fruits.
“This intolerance or response can develop at any stage of an individual’s life, making it difficult to understand the root cause of the symptoms. As always, an open discussion with a licensed GP can help people find the next best steps including avoiding these certain foods in the future.”
The NHS says fruit and vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet, and it’s recommended to eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.