One of the most popular and tastiest fruits on Earth is apples, and there is nothing comparable to biting into a crisp, juicy red, yellow, or green apple first thing in the morning to satisfy your sweet tooth and quench your thirst. The healthy benefits associated with apples are due to the vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and organic compounds that they contain, boosting your health in major ways. A medium apple contains about 90 calories, which is a great way to add substance to your breakfast meal. But what else can the awesome apple do?
Do Apples Wake You Up?
Yes, apples can help keep you awake. Apples do not contain caffeine, but they do have about 13 grams of natural sugar. These natural sugars trigger blood flow, thereby making you feel awake, and because the vitamins and nutrients from the apple are released slowly throughout the body, apples are likely to make you feel more awake for a longer period of time than caffeine. Why do apples wake you up? Because much of the gradual increase in energy is due to the natural glucose in the fruit. The feeling of being awake lasts about as long as it takes the body to metabolize the apple and the cycle of energy reflects that of a bell curve instead of a spike like caffeine.
What about Coffee?
When your body is in sleep mode your temperature and blood pressure falls. A morning cup of coffee helps wake you up by bringing your body back to its normal levels of blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and brain activity. There are about 100 milligrams of caffeine in an average cup of coffee, which speeds up your heart and respiration. The caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and prepares you for the challenges of the day. Coffee itself has no calories, notwithstanding any sugars and creamers you may add.
Which Is Better?
Do apples wake you up faster, or does coffee? The caffeine from coffee might wake a person up faster, and drinking coffee before a morning exercise delays the use of glycogen as muscle fuel, burning fat instead. However, the fructose from an apple is a healthier alternative that comes without the undesirable side effects attributed to caffeine. Apples cause no jolts, jitters, anxiety, mood swings, or the dreaded crash later in the day. Apples also provide a healthier alternative to the refined sugars, syrups and creamers that many people add to coffee. An apple may not replace the cup of coffee in the morning you have grown so fond of, but it offers a healthy alternative to switch things up, and may replace that second cup of coffee.
Other Foods That Wake You Up
1. Oatmeal
It turns out a wholesome bowl of oatmeal is still one of the best things you can eat first thing in the morning. Thanks to oatmeal's low-glycemic index, it quickly turns carbohydrates into fuel, and it's an energy powerhouse that helps stabilize blood sugar all day. Oatmeal burns slow, so it'll keep you awake all morning without causing you to suffer from a crash later in the afternoon like coffee can.
2. Water
There is nothing better than plain water to satisfy the dry mouth after a good night's rest. Mild dehydration can also leave you groggy and tired, and drinking water will have an immediate effect on bringing you blood pressure back to normal. Drinking water instead of coffee to rehydrate will also provide you an opportunity to substitute a healthier alternative for waking up first thing in the morning.
3. Leafy Greens
Not only do apples wake you up in the morning, so do leafy greens. Have a fresh salad for breakfast instead of sugary cereal. Eating lots of leafy greens are one of the best ways to boost your energy levels, and stay awake. They contain lots of B vitamins, which help the body convert food into energy.
4. Eggs
The incredible edible egg! Not only does it build muscles, the choline in eggs is a type of B-vitamin that will increase the function of your brain as well. Eggs are naturally high in protein and iron to give you sustained energy throughout your day, and because of the omega-3s, fat, and protein, eggs will keep you full for a longer period of time.
5. Grapefruit
Grapefruit for breakfast passes the smell test with flying colors. Studies have shown the natural aroma of citrus can make you more alert, and grapefruit helps boost the immune system with its vitamin C, and disease fighting antioxidants. Even if you don't care to eat this sour, sweet and tangy fruit, make sure you wander by it in the morning and take a little whiff.
6. Greek Yogurt
This creamy yet tangy yogurt is full of calcium, with nearly twice as much protein as regular yogurt, keeping you feeling full all morning long. Greek yogurt contains amino acids that make up proteins, and these proteins are great for building muscle tissue, while repairing fiber damage. Choose a non-fat plain variety, and not only do apples wake you up, when added to Greek yogurt, it gives it some sweetness and flavor for a dose of added nutrition.
7. Honey
Honey has benefits that go beyond its great taste. A wonderful source of natural carbohydrates provides energy and strength to our bodies. The natural sugars are important in preventing fatigue during the morning, and the glucose in honey is quickly absorbed by your body, giving you an immediate boost of energy, and the fructose is slowly absorbed providing sustained energy. It's also been known to keep blood sugar levels fairly constant compared to refined sugar.
8. Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk contains as much sugar as unsweetened apple juice and contains only a very small amount of caffeine. Its balance of protein and carbohydrates makes it an ideal hydrating beverage first thing in the mornings, and just like regular milk, chocolate milk contributes to healthy teeth and bones. Cocoa also helps to maintain blood sugar levels longer when paired with calcium-rich protein such as milk.