Why do bananas help with bowel movements

Bananas are a common fruit in our daily lives, but people still don’t know enough about them. Many friends may not know why bananas can help with bowel movements. This is because the dietary fiber in bananas promotes the peristalsis of the large intestine, which can effectively prevent constipation or solve the problem of constipation. However, everyone must remember to eat ripe bananas.

Does eating bananas make constipation worse?

Many people's constipation becomes worse after eating bananas. What's going on?

Because of a substance called tannic acid, which has a strong astringent effect, it can turn feces into dry and hard feces, thus causing constipation. Bananas contain tannic acid, especially unripe bananas, which contain a lot of tannic acid.

We all know that raw bananas have a green skin, which is very bitter and inedible when peeled off. In fact, this bitter taste comes from tannic acid. When bananas are ripe, the skin turns yellow or dark yellow, the astringency is gone, and they become soft, sticky and sweet, making them loved by people of all ages.

But the reality is that bananas are tropical and subtropical fruits. In order to facilitate storage and transportation, unripe green bananas are picked and then ripened. Therefore, most of the bananas eaten in the north are not naturally ripe. Although the astringency is no longer tasted, the tannic acid component is still present. It is not difficult to understand why some people become more constipated the more they eat bananas, especially the elderly and children. This is all caused by tannic acid.

Eat ripe bananas to prevent constipation

Unripe bananas contain more tannic acid, which has an astringent effect on the digestive tract, inhibiting gastrointestinal motility and causing constipation. Only ripe bananas can have the effect of moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements. After we buy bananas, we can store them in a ventilated place until black spots appear on the skin, but the texture inside has not changed. This is the best time to eat them.

In fact, ripe bananas are not the best choice for preventing constipation. High-fiber fruits are the "weapons" for relieving constipation! Bananas contain 1.2g/100g of dietary fiber, which is definitely not considered a "high-fiber fruit". Pomegranates contain up to 4.8g/100g of dietary fiber, and pears also contain more dietary fiber than bananas, at 4.0g/100g. In addition, apples are rich in dietary fiber, which can absorb 2.5 times its own volume of water, making stool softer and easier to pass, which is especially suitable for the elderly and infants.

What to eat for constipation

1. Kiwi

It contains more dietary fiber and protein-degrading enzymes. These substances can not only quickly remove harmful metabolites accumulated in the body and prevent and treat constipation, but also have a good effect in preventing colon cancer and arteriosclerosis. Eating 1-2 kiwis on an empty stomach every morning and wait for 1 hour before eating will be more effective in treating constipation.

2. Grapefruit

Pomelo is sour, cold and non-toxic. It has various functions such as promoting qi, digesting food, removing phlegm, detoxifying alcohol, relieving pain, and treating constipation. Grapefruit is rich in nutrients and contains much more calcium and vitamins than other fruits. Its vitamin C content is three times that of lemon and orange. The calcium content is 10 times more than that of apples, pears, bananas and other fruits. Pomelo is also rich in natural citric acid and various inorganic salts, which not only help the functions of the liver, stomach, lungs, etc., but also have the effects of clearing away heat and fire, relieving cough and reducing phlegm.

3. Pear

Every 100 grams of pears contains 3 grams of cellulose (mostly insoluble fiber). It is an insoluble fiber that can help prevent constipation and digestive diseases, purify the kidneys and clean the intestines. People with long-term constipation should eat more pears, which can help prevent colon and rectal cancer.

4. Pitaya

Dragon fruit can prevent constipation, promote eye health, increase bone density, lower blood sugar, blood lipids, blood pressure, help cell membrane formation, prevent anemia, lower cholesterol, whiten skin and prevent dark spots. It also has the effects of relieving heavy metal poisoning, resisting free radicals, preventing senile diseases, losing weight, and moisturizing the intestines.

5. Walnut

Walnut kernels are nourishing and strengthening foods, and have a good effect on moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements. Walnut kernels are also mild and warm in nature, so eating them will not harm the body. Walnut kernels are usually used to treat constipation. At the beginning, take three or four walnuts, crack the shells, take out the kernels and chew them carefully, then wash them down with warm water, which can cure constipation. Later, when your bowel movements become smoother, you can also reduce the number of walnuts.

Constipation Recipe

1. Eat a few pieces of walnut kernels every morning and evening, or eat them at your leisure. The total amount of walnuts recommended for consumption per day is about 25 grams.

2. Drink cold boiled water on an empty stomach in the morning, and then drink some honey with water. Eating an apple on an empty stomach in the morning is also effective. I have learned this from many years of experience.

3. Drinking yogurt, eating pumpkin, drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juice, and eating sesame seeds are all very effective! Sesame seeds are the most effective.

4. Use apples to cook porridge, and add appropriate amount of raisins and honey after the porridge is cooked. It can have the effect of moisturizing dryness and promoting bowel movements.

5. Ensure an apple, a cup of honey water, a portion of whole grains, and a spoonful of black sesame seeds every day.

6. Monk fruit is rich in vitamin C, cool in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of anti-inflammatory, clearing heat, and relieving sore throat.

7. Make one tea in a teacup and drink it for 1 to 2 days. It will make your bowel movements smoother.