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Getting to the bottom of the rumors about fruit

Reported by Claire Hosmann - bio|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - There's a lot of information available online about what to eat and what not to eat, but don't believe everything you read.

There's been an email circulating since 2001 saying:

The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

WECT consulted Catherine Hankins, a registered dietician at the Zimmer Cancer Center, to find out if the rumors are true.

"Eating fruits by themselves will not cause other foods that may be in your stomach at the same time to solidify or become more acidic, there's no scientific basis to that," said Hankins.

There is a lot of fruit to choose from, so which is the best?

"I think any fruits are beneficial they all have a lot of really good vitamins and minerals and antioxidants and photochemicals and its important to remember to eat fruits of all different colors to get the biggest variety," said Hankins.

Many people don't have time to pack a lunch, so if you hit the drive-thru, here's how to keep your health in check.

"If you are going to go out to eat focus more on salads with low fat dressing, grilled chicken sandwiches, even if you do get a hamburger, not having fries by having a salad along with it," said Hankins.

Whenever possible, choose the whole fruit over the juice.  Eating an orange instead of drinking orange juice gives you added fiber and less sugar.

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