Is Banana Good for IBS? (Expert Answer)
Short Answer: Banana is good for IBS-C and bad for IBS-D. Because it has resistant starch, pectin, fructans, and potassium and they can affect your bowel movements and gut bacteria. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects your digestive system. In IBS, your body has problems with the movement and sensitivity of your intestines. This can lead to various health problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. One of the key factors in managing IBS is diet. What you consume can affect your gut bacteria, which can impact your IBS symptoms and overall health. To effectively manage IBS, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, carrots, and lentils and avoid FODMAP-rich foods like garlic, onion, and wheat. Now, banana is a tropical fruit that grows on a plant. People usually eat bananas raw or cooked, or use them in desserts, smoothies, or baked goods. Banana is good or bad for IBS depending on its ripeness and your type of IBS. It contains resistant starch, pectin, fructans, and potassium. One medium banana can give you about 3 grams of fiber (12% of your daily needs), 14 grams of sugar (28% of your daily needs), and 422 mg of potassium (9% of your daily needs). Resistant starch can positively affect IBS-C (constipation-predominant IBS) by softening stools and promoting regular bowel movements. It can also feed beneficial gut bacteria and reduce inflammation. Pectin can positively affect IBS by soothing the stomach and protecting the intestinal lining. It can
