What Are the Benefits of Eating Pineapple at Night?

There are those who suggest that consuming pineapple at night has extra benefits. Is it true? Is there evidence? We'll discuss it in this article.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Leonardo Biolatto.

Written by Daniela Echeverri Castro

Last update: 29 September, 2022

For some time now, the idea has been popularized that eating pineapple at night has extra benefits than when consumed at other times of the day.

In particular, it’s believed that eating pineapple at this time enhances weight loss and improves sleep quality. However, before assuring this, it’s a good idea to take a look at the evidence.

If you want to know all the benefits of pineapple, its nutrients, and what happens if eaten at night, we invite you to keep reading!

Pineapple, a very nutritious tropical fruit

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit native to South America, but today it’s distributed throughout the world.

It was considered a symbol of hospitality to the indigenous tribes of this continent. Today, it’s even valued as a medicinal food due to its numerous properties.

Even so, it’s important to keep in mind that it is not a miracle food by itself and that its effects are obtained when consumed within the framework of a healthy, balanced diet.

That said, pineapple stands out not only for its flavor and versatility but also for its content of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

Due to its composition, for years it has been the source of multiple forms of research, especially due to its relationship with disease prevention.

The benefits of eating pineapple at night

Claiming that eating pineapple at night has more benefits may be controversial. For now, there’s not enough evidence to prove that the time of fruit intake increases its properties. Even so, if you’re trying to calm a night craving, it can be a good choice.

Why is this? Well, pineapple is a low-calorie fruit that provides vitamins C and B, minerals such as potassium and magnesium, as well as antioxidants, fiber, and light doses of protein. In addition, it’s juicy and has a sweet taste that’s pleasant to the palate. Therefore, it’s a good option to calm hunger at night.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that the portion should be moderate, since when pineapple is consumed in excess, it represents an intake of calories above the recommended amount. In addition, it should be taken into account that if your caloric needs have already been covered for the rest of the day, those 100 extra calories that it provides can be a problem.

Therefore, eating pineapple at night should be an occasional treatment, or at least something that’s planned so that its intake doesn’t generate a negative impact on your health in the medium and long term. After all, if you consume 100 extra calories every night, you will have consumed 700 additional calories during the week!

So, does eating pineapple at night really help you lose weight?

Within the framework of a healthy and varied diet, the consumption of pineapple can contribute to weight loss, regardless of the time it’s consumed. One of its advantages is its low energy intake, as each slice provides only 42 calories and plenty of water.

In addition, it contains an enzyme called bromelain, whose assimilation is associated with metabolic benefits. In fact, in a study reported in Food Science and Biotechnology , it helped regulate serum leptin and insulin levels in mice fed a high-fat diet, which in turn promoted weight loss.

Pineapple is also noted for its dietary fiber content, a nutrient associated with weight loss by promoting satiety. It also provides manganese, a mineral that’s key to reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Does pineapple help you fall asleep?

Beyond being a healthy snack for the night, pineapple can be a good option to improve the quality of sleep. In particular, and as detailed in a publication in the Journal of Pineal Research, it helps increase melatonin levels in the body, a hormone that plays a major role in regulating the oscillation between sleep and wakefulness.

Under what conditions is it not recommended to eat pineapple at night?

Whether eating pineapple at night is good or not depends largely on the characteristics of each person. While some people benefit from consuming a small portion before going to bed, in others, it may have the opposite effect.

Therefore, before consuming it, the following should be considered:

• Regular consumption isn’t recommended if your caloric needs have already been met for the rest of the day.
• In the case of obesity or metabolic disorders, a doctor should be consulted first. It should not be ignored that some studies associate night meals with a greater tendency to gain weight. Although pineapple provides few calories, these special cases should be evaluated by a professional.
• If you have digestive problems such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome, pineapple and other fruits should be avoided before bedtime. It can cause stomach discomfort and, therefore, interruptions in sleep. The same applies in the case of acid reflux or fructose malabsorption.

What to keep in mind

Although some claim that eating pineapple at night has more benefits, the truth is that it hasn’t been proven that the time of consumption enhances or reduces its properties. In general, this fruit contains many nutrients that are beneficial for health and weight loss. What does stand out in terms of its nighttime intake is its low calorie content. In this sense, it seems to be a good choice as a snack.

In any case, it’s only recommended to consume it in moderation,  since eating it every day can lead to excessive calorie consumption. Among other things, caution should be exercised if there are pre-existing metabolic disorders or digestive problems. In these conditions, it’s best to discuss whether it’s advisable to include pineapple in your nighttime diet with a physician.