Salad is healthy, but difficult to digest in the evening. That’s what they always say. But are salads really only easy to digest during the day?
Lettuce is one of the healthiest foods of all. Despite being up to 95 percent water, it has good nutrient density – beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals like magnesium, but few calories. Most types of lettuce also have a relatively low sodium and high potassium content, which has a positive effect on the metabolism. Because salads are also filling, they would actually be a light alternative to cheese spaetzle and roasts in the evening. Unfortunately, lettuce has a reputation for fermenting overnight in the stomach and causing indigestion. Is it true that you should avoid salads in the evening?
Not in principle. Lettuce is digested no differently in the evening than during the day. In fact, there is a lot of fiber in salads, which can make them harder to digest. Dietary fiber is an indigestible substance that enters the large intestine unchanged and swells there. Everyone tolerates raw food differently. For example, a salad combined with a sour dressing can make you belch. Flatulence is also possible – as with raw onions, among other things. Both can be stressful at night and disturb sleep.
Lettuce is digested the same way at night as it is during the day
If you don’t tolerate raw food as well as cooked vegetables, you don’t have to do without a salad in the evening. If you eat the salad with enough fat and protein, which can be a dressing, nuts or feta cheese, for example, this balances out. The Stiftung Warentest points this out in the guide “Eat better on the side”.
By combining fat and protein, the stomach prepares the food well for digestion and gradually releases the lettuce into the intestines. In this way, the body can absorb nutrients better at the same time. It is also helpful if you chew properly and drink enough water, i.e. at least one glass, with your meal.
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Anyone who has digestive problems in the evening should eat their last meal a few hours before going to bed to give the body enough time to digest. This doesn’t just apply to raw food meals. Also mentioned Käsespätzle and the roast can be heavy in the stomach. The following applies: the more fat there is in the dishes, the more sluggish the digestion.
Source: , , dpa
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
