A doctor who graduated from Harvard University has revealed the shocking – and commonly eaten – fruit that is harming the gut.
Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, shares his experience and knowledge with his 1.2m followers on Instagram (@doctor.sethi)
He previously urged people to drink matcha daily, as the trendy drink could potentially target cancerous cells.
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Now, the 42-year-old has ranked different fruits from best to worst for the gut – but there’s one commonly eaten that could be damaging it entirely, reports What’s The Jam.
In the clip, which has racked up 1.5m views and over 7,000 likes, he begins with second to last place: grapes.
He places oranges at number three, followed by melon and then pears.
Number seven are apples, with kiwis and pomegranates scoring closer to the top.
The best for your gut? Blueberries. The worst? Bananas; very ripe ones at least.
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Dr Sethi, from California, US, explains: “The starch in [very ripe bananas] becomes resistant, which resists digestion.
“Until the bananas ripen, at which point the starch is converted into simple sugars.
“This will spike blood sugars more rapidly and provide less fuel for gut bacteria.
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“Overly ripe bananas can exacerbate bloating in sensitive guts.”
He suggests opting for slightly green bananas if ripe ones aren’t available, as the gut microbes ferment the starch, creating short-chain fatty acids that are healthy for the colon.
Grapes, however, should be swapped out for something better for your body, such as pomegranates.
He said: “Grapes contain high amounts of natural sugars and can be easy to overeat.
“They’re rich in antioxidants, yet low in fibre per calorie.
“This translates to flash absorption, sugar rushes and even bloating at times.
“Pomegranates are packed with polyphenols and antioxidants that feed good bacteria and promote gut microbial diversity.
“And they have reasonable sugar.
“Oranges provide vitamin C and some soluble fibre, although not as much as pomegranates.”
Dr Sethi says that melons, although refreshing, are low in fibre and can raise glucose levels if eaten alone.
He suggests opting for pears instead, as they’re high in fibre and promote feeling full.
Though don’t eat too many, as they produce a lot of gas in the body.
Dr Sethi urges people to pick apples and or kiwis as a healthy snack, as both protect the gut lining, aid digestion and don’t contain a lot of sugar.
But the number one fruit – blueberries.
He added: “[They’re] among the richest sources of anthocyanin and soluble figure, which feeds the microbes, reducing inflammation.
“Most compelling gut-brain and gut-hearth health evidence, too.
“Are all fruits equally healthy? Not really.
“Some are gut-friendly powerhouses, while others might spike your sugar and bloat your belly.
“Don’t just eat fruit – eat smart.”
READ MORE: Teen who survived on beige food – like cheese and pasta – cures her phobia of other grub
