Tiredness creeps up on us through the day for all sorts of reasons. Office work, classes or being stuck in a traffic jam can often leave the body feeling weak, and many people turn to tea or coffee. But science says the best way to get energy naturally is to eat the right fruit at the right time.

Here is which fruit to eat, and when, to get your energy back quickly.

Starting the day with a banana is not a bad idea. Bananas contain natural sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) that give the body instant energy. The potassium they contain also helps muscles and nerves. A banana in the morning will keep supplying you with energy through the day.

A slice of apple at your office desk or between classes gives instant energy. Apples contain fibre and natural fructose, which release energy slowly, so they are good for shaking off sudden drowsiness.

Lethargy usually sets in after lunch. An orange or a malta in the afternoon supplies vitamin C and natural fructose that give quick energy, freshening the body and easing mental fatigue.

At the end of the working day, in the evening, the body feels tired and achy. A few grapes then give quick energy, and they contain antioxidants. But grapes contain a fair amount of sugar, so people with diabetes should watch the quantity or take a doctor's advice.

For people who go to the gym or exercise regularly, dates are an ideal energy booster. Eaten before exercise they give instant energy, and eaten after exercise they replace the glucose the body has lost.

Eating fruit for quick energy is not only healthy but also good for the body in the long run. However, if you have a long-term health condition such as diabetes, blood pressure, liver disease or kidney disease, consult your doctor before deciding to eat any food regularly.

Sources cited in the report: Harvard School of Public Health, American Heart Association, WebMD.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.