NEW DELHI — Eating one banana a day can help maintain optimum gut health, according to Fortis healthcare experts. According to gastroenterologists, the dietary fibre and potassium in this fruit help support digestion, constipation and a healthy gut microbiome. (hindustantimes. com)
Dr. Anupam Sibal, a leading gastroenterologist in Delhi says: “Bananas are a good source of easily digestible fiber that support the growth of good bacteria in our gut and help maintain regular bowel movements”. “The soluble and insoluble fibre in bananas are a great fix for constipation, and can help you maintain regular bowel activity which is essential for any of us to feel good on a daily basis while reducing gas and bloating,” the doctor continued.
Why Are Bananas Good for Your Digestive System?
There are several elements of a banana that promote good digestion:
Fibre: Bananas are a good source of soluble and insoluble fibre, which help increase stool bulk and ease bowel movements.
Potassium: Essential for regulating fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals — all of which affect smooth movement in your intestines.
Prebiotic Effect: Some of the carbohydrates in bananas are considered prebiotics, which feed beneficial gut bacteria and help them grow.
According to nutritionists, the combination of these factors might aid in preserving gut motility and lessen the likelihood of digestive distress when consumed on a regular basis.
If Bananas Are Good for You, Then Who Should Eat Them
Bananas can be especially useful if you have mild digestive transit issues or occasional constipation and even help to rectify the situation when your fibre intake gets a little low. Similarly, nutritionists posit that bananas are easily tolerated by the majority of individuals and can be eaten as a hand-held snack or used in dishes like smoothies, breakfast cereals and fruit salads.
That said, Dr. Sibal noted that people with certain medical conditions — such as progressed diabetes or particular gastrointestinal diseases — may need to talk to their doctors for personalized advice about how much fruit they should consume and what else they should be eating.
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More Hints on the Path to a Healthy Gut
Bananas may support digestion, but overall gut health is better supported through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Key recommendations include:
Other key risk factors are eating a variety of high-fibre foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fruit.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
Maintaining regular physical activity
Cutting down on sugary, heavily processed foods
‘Holistic nutrition, and not one fecal food, is necessary in order to keep the gut healthy long term,’ according to Dr. Sibal.
As the popularity of healthy diet and life style rises, bananas have attracted attention as a source of well balanced nutrition and also becoming more favorable as daily food.
