Do bananas cause or help with constipation?

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So while green bananas are good for overall gut health, the resistant starches will be harder to digest.

Abby Moore

“Thus, they can cause or aggravate preexisting constipation,“one study says1.

In fact, family physicianBindiya Gandhi, M.D., says they have been shown tohelp manage diarrhea2.

However, they’re hard to digest and may contribute to constipation.

Leah Johansen, M.D.

The starch doesn’t just disappear, though.

It converts into simple sugars, increasing both the glycemic index and the sweetness of the banana.

As the resistant starches break down, the banana becomes easier to digest.

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Brown bananas

Brown bananas, like yellow, will continue to lose resistant starch over time.

They’re also the highest inantioxidants4, according to Carrasco.

They are easy to digest, which may help ease constipation.

Anyone with sensitivity to excess sugars or carbohydrates may have inflammatory responses.

Summary

4 Sources