Does banana constipate?

Along with the apple, it is one of the foods that most doubts as to whether they constipate or not. Many people believe that banana is good for diarrhea and others. However, associate it with fiber and use it when they have episodes of constipation, but who is right? Does banana constipate or is it laxative?

At Healthzigzag we want to clarify what effects banana has on your body. How to eat it for intestinal problems, and settle the question of whether it is astringent or laxative. Also, we will also talk about what foods you should not eat if you are constipated. With all this, we hope to clarify your doubts about bananas and intestinal problems. So don’t miss a thing.

Does banana constipate or is it laxative?

The answer to this great question has nuances and is that the banana is constipating. If it is taken in the right way it provides a quantity of fiber that can be a great ally in episodes of constipation. That is, as a natural laxative, achieving the opposite effect.

Read Also:

• Does apple constipate?
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The green banana is astringent. It constipates since it is a fruit rich in tannins. Green banana has a great capacity to absorb the water found in the intestine. Furthermore, the starch that green bananas contain is not well digested by the body. It causes very heavy digestions that favor the appearance of constipation. Likewise, ripe plantain is laxative because it no longer contains as many tannins, among other aspects.

Does banana constipate babies?

These considerations about the banana must also be taken into account in babies and children. Since another very frequent question with this fruit is whether the banana constipates babies. Many babies who begin to switch from liquid to solid feedings go through phases of constipation. The introduction of new foods in the fruit porridge together with the reduction of liquids. By not taking so much bottle, make the child can suffer this annoying problem. You can read also Constipation In The Nursing Baby: What It Is And How To Relieve It?

It is recommended that you consult with your pediatrician about what foods you should gradually introduce into your baby’s porridge or purees to avoid constipation. If the doctor has not advised against it, the idea is to give the child only the ripe bananas to avoid constipation. You can include it in its fruit porridge or make them in the oven and mash them with a fork (this will depend on the baby’s swallowing capacity). But never include unripe bananas in their diet.

How to eat a banana for constipation

If you suffer from constipation, the only recommended way to consume bananas, as we have been telling you, is that they have an optimal degree of ripeness. Ripe bananas, in addition to being sweeter, contain fructooligosaccharides, a type of soluble fiber beneficial in your digestion, and with a certain laxative power. To take advantage of its digestive benefits, we recommend that you do not mix it with acidic fruits, such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc. Since their acids can impede the digestion process of sugars and starch and make you heavier after eating.

What is the best way to eat a ripe banana for constipation? As long as they are ripe, you can eat them in any way. But at Healthzigzag.com we recommend one of the tastiest ways to eat it in smoothies. If you want to savor a delicious banana smoothie it is very simple:

• Add 2 ripe bananas to the mixer glass.
• 250 milliliters of a vegetable drink (soy, oatmeal …).
• Add a pinch of cinnamon powder (just a little to favor digestion since in large quantities it can constipate).
• Whisk at high speed for 30 seconds and serve cold. If the bananas or milk are not too cold, you can add a couple of ice cubes before beating everything.

Other foods that constipate

Now that we have clarified whether the banana is constipating or is laxative and we have also explained how to eat it so that it has a laxative effect and combat constipation, we detail some of the foods that constipate :

• Dairy: dairy contains high levels of fat, lactose, and lactic acid. Which, in addition to producing constipation, produces abdominal pain, gas, or poor digestion. If you suffer from any of these problems, you can try vegetable drinks, a healthy alternative with different options.
• Rice: like bananas, the high starch content makes it an astringent food, which is why it is one of the most recommended dishes when there are episodes of diarrhea.
• Black tea: the tannins present in black tea act by absorbing the water from the stool and reducing bowel movements, so you should not consume this type of tea if you suffer from constipation.
• Red meats: They are considered one of the foods that constipate the most due to the amount of fat they have. The concentration of iron they have makes digestion more difficult.
• Eggs: due to its high-fat content, the egg affects the digestion process, slowing it down, making it a food that you should not abuse if you are constipated.
• Caffeine: being diuretic it causes great dehydration since it increases the elimination of water. The colon does not receive enough fluid to process the stool, and that lack of fluid makes bowel movements not constant.