12 useful properties of bananas for the liver + rules for their use

In various sources, there is an opinion about the benefits of bananas for the liver and gastrointestinal tract. This fruit is an antispasmodic and a source of easily digestible energy. Potassium in bananas helps to ensure the outflow of bile and detoxification.

Other sources insist that sweet fruits should be avoided so that fat deposits do not harm the liver. But the tips for patients with cirrhosis and hepatosis are based on the Soviet reference books by M. Pevsner. At that time, there were no bananas on sale, so this product is simply ignored.

Let's not keep the intrigue – it is possible and necessary to eat sweet fruits. According to research , dietary fibers, including those contained in bananas, have a beneficial effect on liver function. They will not replace the treatment prescribed by a doctor, but they certainly will not harm.

In this article, we will comprehensively consider the effect of bananas on the digestive tract and answer the question: are they useful for the liver or not.

12 facts about their benefits

Bananas, being a low-fat and easily digestible product, are useful for the liver and the entire gastrointestinal tract for the following reasons:

1. They almost do not "poison" the body with toxins, do not burden the liver with unnecessary work;
2. Helps to store glycogen, as they contain a lot of simple carbohydrates;
3. Promote bile outflow and easy digestion;
4. Improve the functioning of the entire excretory system;
5. Are rich in potassium, help to get rid of edema, and do not burden the liver with unnecessary toxins from the lymphatic system .
6. They are soft and do not require much effort to chew, and pre-treatment with saliva. This means that even eating it on the run, a person does not risk getting flatulence, digestive disorders, and acid reflux;
7. Fruits can be included in the diet of patients with gastritis. They do not kill the Helicobacter bacterium, but they also do not require significant digestive resources. Bananas are the perfect snack for a fractional diet;
8. The mucous texture of the juice helps to get rid of pain and discomfort in the stomach and intestines;
9. Dietary fiber in the composition contributes to the improvement of intestinal trophism, and normalization of stool;
10. Banana juice is considered a folk remedy for colitis.
11. Contain a lot of potassium, ensure the removal of excess fluid;
12. Have a mild diuretic effect that naturally combats stones and sand.

The problem with eating bananas is based on two facts – on the Internet, many sites write that bananas can almost treat cirrhosis. At the same time, the Soviet reference books are silent. Who should I trust in this situation?

Logically speaking, fruit is a source of fructose, which is quickly digested, breaking down to glucose molecules. It passes into glycogen, and accumulates in the liver and muscles. The mission of glycogen is to support our body energetically, and provide an opportunity to move actively if we have not eaten for a long time.

Talking about the benefits of glycogen for the liver is a bit wrong. A healthy liver accumulates it, because this is the essence of metabolism. Unhealthy – it can accumulate to a lesser extent. But at this stage, a person is usually not up to bananas and their benefits. He is in intensive care, where doctors are coping with acute liver failure.

Also pay attention to other useful properties:

 

Possible harm

Bananas can be harmful to the liver only in the following cases:

1. With an excess of toxic substances that cover them during transportation. However, to do this, you need to try, for example, not to wash the fruits, and carefully lick the peel, or add it to dishes. There is a situation when small children are poisoned by the peel. The problem is solved simply – do not give them bananas with peel;
2. Due to the carcinogenic properties of bananas fried in caramel. Don't you eat that? Therefore, there is no need to be afraid. Caramel-fried bananas are usually cooked with hydrogenated fats, such as margarine, to reduce the cost of the process. That's why they are harmful;
3. With low quality preservatives used for making banana chips and dried bananas;
4. With the banal harm of overeating. Fans of consuming 10 whole fruits at one time should know that this leads to a malfunction of the gallbladder and an increase in the load on the liver. Overeating is not only a cause of obesity, but also a factor contributing to an increased risk of fatty liver hepatosis. Therefore, it is better to avoid excessive consumption of food, even fruits.

How to use them correctly?

Liver health is ensured by normal digestion and a minimum of toxins in food. Therefore, it should be:

1. Avoid cheap fruits that are already rotten. This way we do not save money, but introduce bacteria into our body, which the immune system is then forced to fight. The human immune system already prevents infections every day, and we also complicate her task with rotten fruits. Food poisoning is no better than alcohol intoxication, and it also damages liver cells;
2. Give up fried fruits if there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract or liver disease. Fried sweet fruits cause a significant outflow of bile and stimulate the secretion of gastric juice. Eating them is a bad idea if the liver is already enlarged;
3. Limit dried bananas and chips. These foods may be safe for a healthy person, but they can cause problems if the liver does not do its job well;
4. Don't overeat. Eat no more than 2-3 fruits a day, preferably not at one meal. This will help you digest food completely, and not overload the liver and gallbladder.

Is it possible to eat bananas for liver disease?

The diet for people with liver diseases restricts fried dishes, smoked meats, sausages and salads, as well as alcohol and fatty sweets. Bananas are not included in the list of restrictions. But they are not indicated in the list of allowed food either. The reason is that both lists in our country are "originally from the USSR" and simply do not know such products.

For cirrhosis

Is it possible to eat bananas for cirrhosis of the liver? Yes. There are no problems with this, the fruits are digested while other food is digested. If liver failure increases, the patient is transferred to a mashed food. Even in this case, you can give a few spoonfuls of banana puree.

With an increase in ascites, you need to look at how much the patient eats, and limit the fruits to one portion.

For hepatosis

Bananas are included in all lists of permitted foods for fatty liver hepatosis. The quantity must be determined independently. Carbohydrates are usually limited to 300 g per day, which means that an adult can eat about 3 bananas.

Interesting video

We recommend watching this video:

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Conclusion

Bananas are a source of fast energy. Their use will help the body not to waste a lot of energy on digesting food. They allow to normalize the outflow of bile and have a mild diuretic effect. It follows that they are useful for the liver. Only fried and caramelized fruits should be limited.