Who decided there’s a 'best time' to gulp down an apple? We all know that friend who swears by midnight apple feasts – but pay them no mind. Truth is, unless apples cause you to inflate like a balloon, reducing your chance of snoozing, they’re downright wholesome whenever you fancy a bite.

Looking for quick conclusions? Scroll down to the key points, slugger. But we advise sticking around for the full tale.

Ever wondered why apples seem to have an almost magical effect on your bowels? Thank your friendly skin-on fiber and flavonoids. Like digestive superheroes, these nutrients work around the clock. But hey, let's dive deeper into this apple-eating business:

Ayurveda, a millennia-old Indian philosophy of healing, suggests you munch on apples an hour after breakfast or lunch. But does science back this up, or do we file it under ‘wise but unproven’?

Oh, you’re on a weight loss venture? Chomping on apples at specific times might just be your secret weapon.

Got sleep troubles? Turn your gaze to the humble apple. No concrete data makes a direct connection between apples and sleep. But the array of nutrients packed into these crunchy snacks can definitely enhance your Zs.

Apples are packed with carotenoids, Mother Nature’s personal brand of antioxidants. These give fruits and vegetables their vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues. Some smarty-pants suggest that high carotenoid consumption is linked to an optimal sleep duration. What a win!

Apples aren’t just apples, though. There’s a veritable Smörgåsbord of varieties and they all come with slightly different nutritional profiles.

Amidst all their goodness (call us biased), there’s a dark side. Processed apples, you guessed it, aren’t really 'apples' anymore. With stripped-off fibers and phytochemicals and sugar levels that could rival a can of soda, they're big on quick energy bursts and low on keeping you satiated.

So, who should avoid the apple brigade? It’s not many, thankfully, but certain groups might want to think twice (or even thrice).

In the “how wholesome can a fruit get" competition, apples are lining up at the front. And sure, banters like “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” might sound clichéd, but the health benefits of this crunchy snack are impressive enough to warrant a few clichés.