Bananas

[Wiles]

I ran across some information about bananas that I found to be interesting.

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound called a prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve our ability to absorb nutrients, plus compounds that protect us against unfriendly microorganisms. When fructooligosaccharides are fermented by these friendly bacteria, not only do numbers of probiotic bacteria increase, but so does the body's ability to absorb calcium. In addition, gastrointestinal transit time is lessened, decreasing the risk of colon cancer.

Green bananas contain indigestible (to humans) short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are a favorite food of the cells that make up the lining of the intestines. When these cells are well-nourished and healthy, the body's ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium can increase dramatically.

Research published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences underscores just how much bananas can improve nutrient absorption. In this study, 57 male babies (5-12 months) with persistent diarrhea of at least 14 days duration were given a week's treatment with a rice-based diet containing either green banana, apple pectin or the rice diet alone. Treatment with both green banana and apple pectin resulted in a 50% reduction in stool weights, indicating that the babies were absorbing significantly more nutrients.

Also, to check how well their intestines were able to absorb nutrients, the babies were given a drink containing lactulose and mannitol. Lactulose is a compound that should be absorbed, while mannitol is one that should not be. When the intestines are too permeable, a condition clinicians call "leaky gut," too little lactulose and too much mannitol are absorbed. After just one week of being given the green banana-rice diet, the babies' were absorbing much more lactulose and little mannitol, showing that their intestines were now functioning properly.

Some banana cultivars are also rich in provitamin A carotenoids, which have been shown to protect against chronic disease, including certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. How to identify which bananas contain the most carotenoids? Check the color of their edible flesh. Bananas whose flesh is more golden contain the most carotenoids.

 

[Nancy Lee]

I found this most interesting...
especially since I am only able to eat bananas
as an uncooked fruit.

Apples etc are just a bit to much in the way of fiber for me.

Thanks for posting this information!

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Bananas seem to give me a stomach ache if I eat more than a little bit unless it's cooked in something or mixed in.

Didn't used to be that way.

 

[slice]

Bananas are sort of a miracle food for me and also the only uncooked fruit I can eat. I struggle with getting seriously burned out on them though and then I don't want to look at them for long periods of time. Somehow I always come crawling back to them when things get bad though...

 

[Crohn's 35]

I eat bananas more than any other fruit, helps my D stay away and pretty filling as a snack. I eat them just a tinge of green but mostly yellow. When they are brown spotted the smell makes me ill.... I also found out that Apple sauce is well tolerated and binds you as well. They are my safe foods.

 

[GI Joe]

Good info. I normally eat two bananas a day. I freeze them and make smoothies out of them. I eat them because I excerise a lot and they can replace a lot of nutrients. Plus, they taste so good. The digestive qualities mentioned in the article are a good bonus. Thanks for sharing.

 

[shazamataz]

That is interesting Wiles. However, as a differing opinion, I was recommended by a friend using the SCD diet that bananas should only be eaten when ripe - no green and some brown spots - something to do with the type of sugars they have in them.
I dunno, I always preferred the greener ones but have gone onto eating the riper ones and feel they are gentler on the stomach!

 

[farm]

I hate nanners! Blah!
Love apples though and tolerate them well raw or cooked.
Applesauce with some sugar and cinnamon in it, wow, it'll make your tongue slap your brains out.

 

[Wiles]

I used to eat a lot of apples before I had Crohn's but the skins give me stomach aches now. Most of the time I can't be bothered to peel them. Apple sauce is great though!

I love me some bananas, I'll eat em green, yellow, or with big brown spots. yum. Bananas are easier on my stomach than most other raw fruits I've eaten. What Shaz says makes sense for the SCD diet; the fruits change starch into sugar when they ripen and the SCD diet is a starch free diet.

 

[D Bergy]

I have trouble with Banana's also. If I eat a whole Banana, I feel pukey, but I can eat them mixed in food. I never really understood why they make me feel that way.

Maybe I should try eat more of them mixed with something else.

Dan

 

[katiesue1506]

I tolerate bananas well, but I have to be in the mood for them. And they have to be small ones because I can never finish normal sized ones.

 

[fenway1971]

I eat at least one banana every day. Comfort food for me. Prefer them yellow. Don't like them mushy.

 

[CrohnsHobo]

I eat bananas here and there. I usually buy them and throw them out more often then buying them and eating. Go bad to fast.

I do fine with apples as long as they are peeled. I love pears.

 

[Fog Ducker]

I eat bananas here and there. I usually buy them and throw them out more often then buying them and eating. Go bad to fast.

When they start to go brown slice them up, put them in tuperware and throw them in the freezer. When you eat them its like banana ice cream!!! mmmmm

 

[lucitcha]

Loooove bananas, and they are the ONE food that NEVER EVER hurt me. I´m glad there´s plenty of it in Brazil. Actually, there are several kinds of bananas around. We have what we call "silver banana", "gold banana", "water banana", "apple banana", and maybe a few more. I don´t know which ones you eat, but they vary basically in size and sweetness. The water banana, for instance, is really big and the best one for cooking - and eating with cinnamon and sugar or vanilla ice creams after barbecues. Hum... (though the ice cream part is not for me anymore).

I eat bananas everyday, and during rough times they are my main food. If they getting very dark, you should just slice them and cook with some water and a few cloves (maybe sugar if you want it), and it makes a really nice marmelade kind of sweet. Even with no added sugar. Just keep it in the fridge and it will last you a week.

 

[CrohnsHobo]

When they start to go brown slice them up, put them in tuperware and throw them in the freezer. When you eat them its like banana ice cream!!! mmmmm

It's a color and consistency thing for me. They get any brown on them and I gag when eating them. Mental block I guess.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

I will take the softer, mature bananas and mash them with peanut butter for sandwiches. The peanut butter masks the brown in the banana.

 

[Crohn's 35]

When they start to go brown slice them up, put them in tuperware and throw them in the freezer. When you eat them its like banana ice cream!!! mmmmm

EEEEEEEEEEEEEw. I love ice cream or frozen yogurt (better for me, ice cream no no) I am from Canada too, straight up Northwest of ya... You must not have been born and raised here :ylol2: .. kidding and welcome to the forum!

I throw them in the freezer if they get spotted and make banana bread out of them, I hate when they are brown lol...

 

[Fog Ducker]

thats the best thing they dont go brown in the freezer if they are peeled and sliced. and cant tase the brown at all!
I do it as soon as I see the beown cause im the same as u CH, make me gag!

Jetta, I was actally born just up in Goderich and rased up near Barrie.
Where you at?

 

[Fog Ducker]

Johnny, I like that idea I think Im gonna go try that now!

 

[Crohn's 35]

I am in Thunder Bay, was raised in the GTA and my husband has family in Goderich, and was born in Embro. I also have family in Barrie and around that area. I pretty much have lived everywhere lol.

 

[Nancy Lee]

I have to eat them just past green stage...I understand they are better for you then as well.

Hey FD!! Welcome to the forum!!
I didn't see you come in.

I was born and raised in London!

 

[Fog Ducker]

Seems to be quite a few of us from the southern ontario area here. Thats awesome!

 

[Peaches]

Bananas are my *favorite* fruit, but I can only eat about half of one a day and only a few times a week or I get gut cramps from them for some reason. Can't tolerate most other fruits - surprised I don't have scurvy! Great information though Wiles!

 

[mwb3779]

I never used to eat bananas because of the natural sugar in it was so high. Diabetes didn't allow it. Since being diagnosed I have started eating them again and they are the best. No issues there. Other fruits, not so good.

 

[pb4]

LOVE bananas, always have, use them in my fruit smoothies that I make, with plain yogurt and a bit of 100% pure juice (usually pineapple juice)...YUMMMMY!

 

[pb4]

Are you thinking of plantains mort? I read about platains having a huge effect on inflammation in the GI tract (from IBD), researchers were planning to see how they could manipulate it into a med, they found that it took tons and tons of plantains to have an anti-inflammatory effect for us.