Sure, your mother will tell you that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Does it really? More important, which one — an apple or an orange — keeps bodyfat away while shaking out the welcome mat for muscle growth?

People who are trying to lose weight have often shunned fruit around workout time because of its high fructose content.

That sugar, unique to plants, can only be used by the liver, which converts it into glucose, meaning it takes its sweet time (pun intended) to get to muscles.

Apples are the slower-burning fruit of the two, meaning the energy they provide will stay with you longer.

Oranges get burned up quicker but pack higher levels of some phytonutrients, including a whopping dose of vitamin C.

The Winner Is: Draw Reason: Apples and oranges are perfect preworkout, but not postworkout. They each provide the kind of slow-burning carbs that will power a workout without spiking insulin levels (which, of course, can interfere with fat burning).

Apples gain a slight edge because a large one contains just about the number of carbs you want before a workout (30-40 grams). Plus, they’re marginally slower to digest because of their pectin (a type of fiber) content.

Oranges level the playing field with their high vitamin-C and beta-carotene content. Vitamin C is linked to a boost in nitric oxide — also a benefit to bodybuilders. Two oranges before a workout will ensure that you’re getting enough carbs. [via]