One of our most popular fruits, and a great source of many important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and iron.
Importantly for digestive health, bananas are high in fibre and the type of fibre we consume is important.
Green bananas contain resistant starch which is like a soluble fibre and soluble fibre is a type of carbohydrate that is able to dissolve in a water solution.
Resistant starch is a complex carbohydrate that is not digested in the small intestine, rather it goes through to the large intestine (colon) where it’s main job is to feed the bacteria that live there.
When this process occurs, the beneficial bacteria produce short chain fats that are so important for digestive health. Resistant starch also has a role in large intestine transit regulation, if we have constipation or diarrhoea the starch can help promote more regular transit time.
Bananas are not only packed full of fibre but also potassium, prebiotic and probiotics, and all of these compounds are important if we have digestive conditions.
So fill your fruit bowl with both green and yellow bananas, or buy green banana flour to cook with - it makes delicious pancakes!
Healthy Gut, Healthy Mind, Healthy Life