Eating Bananas To Improve Gut Health

Bananas are delicious, nutritious, and a good source of fiber. What’s even better than that is that it is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Both fibers help control blood sugar levels and eliminates cholesterol, as well as, other fatty substances. Insoluble fiber softens the stool and adds weight to it which both make bowel movements healthier and easier. This in turn is good for overall gut health and keeping harmful bacteria away from and out of the system.

Bananas aid gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, heartburn, and ulcers. This sweet fruit contains healthy amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium.  While some people that eat bananas say it helps with constipation others say it makes them constipated and this is totally normal. Our gut and microbiome is specific to who we are, what we eat, how we eat, and the science of us as individuals.

The Breakdown

Vitamin B6: This vitamin is easily absorbed and it metabolises carbohydrates quickly turning them into energy. It also metabolises amino acids, removes chemicals from the kidneys and the liver, as well as, maintaining a healthy nervous system. 

Vitamin C: Protects the body from cell and tissue damage. It allows the absorption of iron to flow more efficiently. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen which is beneficial to the gut, skin, hair, and nails. 

Manganese: This mineral is important for aiding in the production of collagen. It protects the skin and cells against havoc wreaking free-radicals that can and will cause damage to our health and well-being.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants are necessary for helping defend the cells from damage caused by free-radicals (potentially harmful molecules). Free-radicals cause oxidative stress and is bad for you! 

Bananas that are still slightly green are a great source of prebiotics. Prebiotics are like the food that feeds the beneficial probiotics in our gut. The content of insoluble and soluble fiber is believed to be a little higher in slightly green bananas than it is in the yellow. There are different ways to add banana to your daily diet and if you wanna try the slightly green bananas try using them as a smoothie base. 

Not only are eating bananas good for your gut health but boiling the fruit and the peel for what they call banana tea produces many health and healing benefits as well. The tea has added benefits you won’t get from eating raw banana because the peel is also boiled. It’s a little more concentrated so it may be the better choice. Personally, banana and nut butter sandwiches is the way to go!