You’re making smoothies WRONG! Scientists say never add banana,
Smoothies are a quick and easy way to load up on your five–a–day.
But it turns out you’ve probably been making them wrong.
That’s according to scientists from the University of California, Davis, who have warned that some ingredient combinations may not be as healthy as they seem.
In their study, the team analysed how different fruits blended together can change how much nutrition your body actually absorbs.
Their results revealed that adding a banana to your smoothie may drastically reduce the absorption of flavanols.
These natural plant compounds act like antioxidants, and have been shown to boost both heart and brain health.
‘We were really surprised to see how quickly adding a single banana decreased the level of flavanols in the smoothie and the levels of flavanol absorbed in the body,’ said Javier Ottaviani, lead author of the study.
‘This highlights how food preparation and combinations can affect the absorption of dietary compounds in foods.’
Flavanols are part of a larger group of plant nutrients called polyphenols and are known for supporting heart and brain health.
Previous studies have shown that they are abundant in several foods, including apples, pears, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, and cocoa.
However, until now, it has been unclear whether or not mixing these ingredients with other fruits affects the body’s ability to take in the bioactive compounds.
‘We sought to understand, on a very practical level, how a common food and food preparation like a banana–based smoothie could affect the availability of flavanols to be absorbed after intake,’ Dr Ottaviani explained.
The researchers gave participants a flavanol capsule, before asking them to drink a smoothie made with either banana or berries.
Afterwards, the team measured the levels of flavanol in both their blood and urine.
The results revealed that the people who drank the banana smoothie had 84 per cent lower flavanol levels.
According to the researchers, this effect is linked to an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO).
PPO is not only responsible for the browning we see in bananas once they’re peeled, but also affects the body’s ability to absorb flavanols.
Based on the findings, the researchers suggest replacing bananas with ingredients that contain low PPO – including pineapple, oranges, mango, or yoghurt.
However, if your morning beverage just isn’t complete without banana, they say it’s best not to mix them with flavanol–heavy foods.
Writing in their study, published in Food & Function, the researchers concluded: ‘This study highlights that consideration needs to be given not only to the types of fruits and vegetables and plant–based products to recommend to increase intake, but also how they are prepared, stored, and consumed as part of a regular meal in order to maximize their potential to support health.
‘Currently, there is a dearth of information on the topic.’
VITAMINS AND MINERALS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
According to Chinese data, one in five patients with COVID-19 may be ill enough to need medical intervention. For the rest with symptoms, the best medication could be paracetamol, as this controls fever and pain.
In order to help rebuild the immune system post-virus, experts recommend antioxidants which can be obtained from a variety of foods, such as berries, garlic and onion.
Vitamin Injections London founder Bianca Estelle has recommended cocktails of vitamins and minerals, intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection, as an alternative to oral supplements which can be harmful to the stomach in high doses.
The UK-based clinic administers high doses (dependent on factors including age and health condition. The antiviral concoctions are also great for preventing free radical damage and reducing inflammation caused by viruses.
B VITAMINS
B Complex vitamins also help boost the immune system after a viral infection.
‘Specifically B6,’ Estelle says. ‘It gives cells the energy they require to communicate effectively and function.’ B6 supports red blood cell production and reduces inflammation. It cannot be made by the body naturally.
VITAMIN C
Coronavirus victims have reported symptoms of fatigue, body aches, fever, coughing and sneezing.
Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that protects the body against the effects of harmful agents (internal and external) and can negatively affect metabolic processes, leading to tiredness and fatigue.
Chinese studies have been treating some infected people with high doses of vitamin C due to its anti-viral properties.
Since it has a very low toxicity level, there is no risk of damaging vital organs, as long as the correct dose is administered for an individual as recommended by a health expert.
VITAMIN D
According to a World Health Organization study on respiratory tract infections, ‘Vitamin D deficiency may affect the immune system as vitamin D plays an immunomodulation role, enhancing innate immunity by up-regulating the expression and secretion of antimicrobial peptides, which boosts mucosal defenses’.
Airborne illnesses such as coronavirus can get into the system via mucous membranes; eyes, nose and mouth.
Estelle hails the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of D3, otherwise known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’. Darker skin tones have more difficulty obtaining the benefits of vitamin D but slow-release adhesive skin patches provide 12 hours of continuous D3 supplementation, delivered directly into the bloodstream.
‘The Vitamin D Shot is a safe treatment,’ VitaminInjections.co.uk states. ‘Rarely, however, Vitamin D injections can lead to a number of side effects – the most common of which are stomach discomfort and nausea.’
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium helps reduce inflammation in tissues and regulates the immune system response. Notably it helps keep organs, bones and nerves healthy.
Found in vegetables, milk, fish, pulses, and grains, about 15 percent is absorbed via oral supplement and it’s absorbed at a much higher rate via IV.
ZINC
Zinc helps flush out damaged cells and fight infection.
According to VitaminInjections.co.uk, the trace mineral, stimulates the activities of nearly one hundred enzymes and is necessary for the healthy functioning of the body. Individuals lacking in this nutrient may be more susceptible to illness, meaning that an adequate amount of Zinc should ideally be present in the body’s cells.
Zinc is recommended for supplementing pre-existing deficiencies in order to enhance the body’s natural ability to defend itself against foreign invaders.
