Why bananas can be dangerous for children: a doctor’s opinion

Overseas product theory

In Russia, bananas are one of the most affordable and widespread exotic fruits. And the price is good – bananas are often cheaper than domestic apples. But there is one but. Some pediatricians believe that it is useful for a small child to eat exactly those products that have grown in their native land. There is a certain genetic memory that is passed down from generation to generation: beets, carrots, pumpkins, etc. – everything is native and easier for the body to digest. And foreign causes allergies and stomach problems. This theory, by the way, is held in Japan, where the healthiest children in the world grow up.

But other experts are inclined to believe that such an opinion has outlived itself in the modern world: with the development of transport, the borders between countries and even hemispheres have long been blurred, and bananas have become as common as carrots.

Transport hazard

It is fraught with many “food foreigners”, because for better storage and transportation from the plantation to the counter, they are naturally processed. The usual chemicals are used – E230, E231 and E232, which contain phenol, which increases the shelf life. It is absolutely not useful for any person to eat phenol, and for a child it is extremely dangerous.

To reduce harm, before eating any fruit, thoroughly, with a grater, rinse their peel under running water, and then, after cleaning, give it to the child and eat it yourself. But some doctors believe that it is better for children under 2 years old to abstain from eating bananas altogether.

Health risk

Because of the fructose, which is rich in bananas, it is not recommended to eat them on an empty stomach. The fact is that, getting into an empty stomach, such food strongly stimulates the pancreas, which begins to produce the hormone insulin. This will not harm a healthy person, but it can do harm to a person predisposed to diabetes.

Try not to give your child bananas on an empty stomach, especially after sleeping. In addition to a surge in insulin, there may be bloating and heartburn. It is not recommended to eat bananas and drink water at the same time – this reduces the digestibility of the fruit.

As for ripeness, it is better to choose well-ripened fruits, without greens on the peel.

Pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatrician of the Dialine multidisciplinary clinic chain

“Banana is a very good product. First of all, due to the presence of inulin and prebiotics in the composition: for the ideal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, these are irreplaceable substances. Bananas also contain a lot of tryptophan and serotonin, which can improve mood in both children and adults.

Bananas emit ethylene gas, which contributes to the ripening of the bananas themselves, that is, the green fruit itself ripens without assistance, retaining all the nutrients and trace elements.

In complementary foods for babies, if there are no allergies and contraindications, bananas are introduced from 6-8 months.

The only negative is the high calorie content. A child can eat 1-2 bananas a day, remember that 1 kilogram contains 1000 calories. “

By the way

At one time, a horror story roamed the Internet – they say, if you eat too many bananas, you can die. Scientists are seriously concerned about this problem and conducted their own research. It turned out that in order to harm yourself, you need to eat as many as 400 bananas at a time! Of course, no one can do this.

But at the same time, doctors warn: do not get carried away even with this healthy fruit. To choose the daily value of potassium, which is so rich in bananas, you need to eat 6 – 7 pieces per day. And if it is more, then there is a risk of feeling not very good.

“People with kidney disease are at risk. When kidney function declines and potassium is not excreted from the body, blood levels can actually rise to dangerous levels. The same goes for tomatoes, they are also very high in potassium. So, theoretically, this is possible: if a person’s kidneys fail, and he fanatically eats bananas and tomatoes, he may die, ”warns Catherine Collins, a nutritionist at London’s St. George’s Hospital.