The medical expert with decades of experience claimed these are the fruits you should think twice about
A doctor who graduated from Harvard University has shared which commonly eaten fruit might harm the gut. For most Brits, this snack is found in most fruit bowls, as it’s fairly cheap to buy at the supermarket.
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. Now, the 42-year-old has ranked different fruits from best to worst for the gut – and there’s one 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 fruit you can eat for your gut is apparently blueberries as they’re one of “the richest sources of anthocyanin and soluble fibre”, which feeds the microbes, reducing inflammation.
A very common fruit that gets eaten around the world, bananas that are very ripe were deemed the worst. Dr Sethi, from California, US, said: “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. 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. Although, do not 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. According to the NHS, it is recommended that you eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
These can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or juiced. There is evidence that people who eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.