Why Apples Can Be Hard to Digest and How to Avoid Symptoms
Health ConditionsDigestive Health

Why Apples Can Be Hard to Digest and How to Avoid Symptoms

Why Apples Can Be Hard to Digest and How to Avoid Symptoms
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Updated on August 6, 2025
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Beza Tekola, MD

There’s nothing like the crunch of a tart or sweet apple. This fruit is ideal as a standalone snack, a crunchy addition to a salad, or a sweet dessert — and it has countless other uses.

Plus, apples are undeniably good for you. They contain a variety of nutrients, but they’re probably best known for their fiber. One medium apple has about 4 grams (g) of fiber.

While that can be good, the relatively high fiber can make apples hard to digest.

Here, learn why apples can cause digestive issues, how long they take to digest, and what to do if your stomach hurts after eating them.

What Can Make Apples Hard to Digest?

1. They’re High in Fiber

As mentioned above, apples are a good source of fiber. And fiber has a host of benefits, including supporting regular bowel movements and lower LDL (aka “bad”) cholesterol.

If you’re used to eating a good amount of fiber, you may not have any digestive issues after eating apples. But ramping up your dietary fiber intake too quickly or eating a lot of fiber all at once (like several apples) can lead to constipation, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps.

2. They’re High in Fructose

Apples are also high in a sugar called fructose that’s found naturally in fruits.

 For some people, the fructose in apples can lead to bloating and stomach pain, especially if you eat a lot of apples at once.

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be especially sensitive to the fructose in apples.

Indeed, if you have IBS or a sensitivity to fructose, you may get diarrhea when you eat fruits high in fructose, like apples, cherries, and peaches.

Fructose is also why apple juice can cause diarrhea, particularly in children who drink large amounts of it, research shows.

 If your child likes apple juice, you can water it down or limit how much they drink daily to prevent this side effect.

How Long Do Apples Take to Digest?

Foods with carbohydrates or sugar, like apples, tend to stay in your stomach for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the person. From there, it could take 40 to 120 minutes for food to move through your intestines, and up to several hours before it becomes waste.

But this time could be sped up or slowed down if you have digestive issues like IBS or a fructose sensitivity. It depends on the type of symptoms you have, such as diarrhea or constipation.

How to Make Apples Easier to Digest

1. Peel Them

There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Apples have both types — the soluble fiber is found in the pulp, and the insoluble fiber is in the skin.

To decrease the amount of fiber in your apple, you can try peeling it.

 This may help reduce the side effects of eating too much fiber at once, including gas and bloating.

2. Cook Them

Cooking apples breaks down their nutrients and can make them easier to digest than raw apples, per PIH Health. This is one of the best ways to eat apples without getting gas.

Indeed, applesauce and cooked apples without the peels are sometimes recommended for people after they've had a stomach bug.

3. Watch Your Portion Size

Especially if you have IBS, are sensitive to the fructose in apples, or tend to get diarrhea from apples, try limiting the amount you eat per day. A serving size is one medium apple. Eating more than that in one sitting could lead to digestive issues.

If you find pieces of undigested apple in your stool, this may be a sign that you've eaten too much and your body cannot break it down.

How to Ease Digestive Issues From Eating Apples

1. Hydrate

Drink plenty of water when eating high-fiber foods like apples to help prevent constipation.

In general, aim to get between 11.5 and 15.5 cups of water a day through drinking and eating water-rich foods.

2. Go for a Walk

If your stomach hurts after eating apples, try some gentle movement to help your body digest. Exercise is a tried-and-true natural remedy for gas and bloating, because it helps food keep moving along your digestive tract.

3. Sip Some Tea

Certain herbal teas can help soothe bloating and gas. These include peppermint, ginger, and chamomile blends. If you have acid reflux, be aware that peppermint can sometimes make it worse.

    4. Take an OTC Medication

    If you have diarrhea from eating apples, you can take an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal drug like Ioperamide (Imodium A-D), though talk to your doctor first.

    5. Try Small Dietary Changes

    Limit alcohol, caffeine, and spicy, fried, or fatty foods until the diarrhea subsides.

    When to See a Doctor

    See your doctor if your diarrhea, constipation, or bloating continues after you eat apples. Also get a healthcare checkup if you begin to see undigested pieces of food in your stool regularly. You may have an underlying digestive issue that your doctor can help treat.

    And remember, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor if you’re unsure or worried about your symptoms.

    The Takeaway

    • Apples can be hard to digest because they contain high fiber and fructose.
    • Peeling or cooking apples, as well as watching how many apples you eat, can make digesting them easier.
    • Hydrating, going for a walk, or taking over-the-counter medicine can ease digestive problems caused by eating apples.
    • See a doctor if your symptoms persist or if you regularly see undigested food in your stool.
    EDITORIAL SOURCES
    Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
    Resources
    1. Apple, Raw. U.S. Department of Agriculture. October 28, 2022.
    2. Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet. Mayo Clinic. December 11, 2024.
    3. Fiber. MedlinePlus. July 23, 2024.
    4. 5 Foods to Improve Your Digestion. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
    5. 15 Foods That Can Cause Bloating. Cleveland Clinic. March 16, 2022.
    6. What to Eat (and What to Avoid) When You Have IBS. Cleveland Clinic. April 9, 2025.
    7. Is Something in Your Diet Causing Diarrhea? Harvard Health Publishing. August 8, 2023.
    8. Heyman MB et al. Fruit Juice in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Current Recommendations. Pediatrics. June 2017.
    9. How Long Does It Take to Digest Food? Cleveland Clinic. April 19, 2021.
    10. What's the Difference Between Soluble and Insoluble Fiber? Cleveland Clinic. February 1, 2021.
    11. Five Foods That Make You Bloat. PIH Health. July 1, 2020.
    12. The BRAT Diet: What to Eat After a Stomach Virus. Piedmont.
    13. Undigested Food in Stool: What Does It Mean? Mayo Clinic. October 12, 2023.
    14. Constipation. Cleveland Clinic. July 18, 2023.
    15. Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day? Mayo Clinic. October 12, 2022.
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    Beza Tekola, MD

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    Madeleine Burry

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    Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor, covering health, parenting, and wellness. She's written for many online publications, including Health, Prevention, Women's Health, What To Expect, and Apartment Therapy. Previously, she was the associate managing editor for Parents.com, and a managing editor for Scholastic's parenting site.

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