Bananas are among my favourite foods, but the type of exaggerated health and nutrition claims currently doing the rounds cannot be taken seriously, writes DietDoc.



In our part of the Highveld, they say that lightning always strikes twice and this seems to apply to bananas too. During the past week I have not only received an e-mail from a dear friend with the earnest request to comment on its content regarding the superlative nutritive value of bananas, but a Health24 reader reported that she had been told that bananas should not be eaten after 3pm or included in a slimming diet. In fact she said, and I quote: “I was told NOT to eat banana when trying to lose [weight], AND never to eat it after 3pm.  What’s your take on this banana business??” My take on this banana business is that I am amazed by the both the positive and negative hype about this fruit, which happens to be a firm favourite of mine.

Health claims

The e-mail extolling the nutritional superiority of bananas, also made a number of health claims, namely that eating a banana will lower cholesterol, soothe an upset stomach and diarrhoea, and provide immediate relief from hangovers, and premenstrual syndrome. The tryptophan in bananas is also credited with promoting sleep. The e-mail then went on to state that “bananas have positive effects in relation to the following ailments: anaemia, blood pressure, bowel problems, constipation, depression, heart problems, morning sickness, nervous disorders, stress and ulcers.”

Anyone reading the banana e-mail would conclude t ... Read more