Okay, so we love a good post-workout smoothie. Berries? Always. Bananas? They give that perfect creamy vibe. But what if we told you that tossing in a banana might mess with your smoothie’s superpowers? Yep, science has thoughts.
The Study That Shocked Us
Researchers recently investigated what happens when you mix berries and bananas in a smoothie. The study, published in Food and Function, tested how well people absorbed flavanols (those good-for-you antioxidants) after drinking different smoothie combinations.
Spoiler alert: flavanol absorption dropped by a wild 84% when a banana was blended in.
Wait, What Even Is Flavanol?
Flavanol = antioxidant magic. You’ll find it in berries, apples, grapes, cocoa — basically, the fun foods. It helps protect your cells from damage, supports brain health, and just keeps things running smoothly in your body. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
Why Do Bananas Ruin the Party?
It’s not personal — it’s enzymes. Bananas have something called polyphenol oxidase (also the reason they go brown so fast). This enzyme messes with how your body absorbs flavanols. But don’t cancel bananas just yet.
Should You Ditch Bananas Forever?
Not at all. Dietitian Keri Gans says bananas still bring tons of value — vitamin C, potassium, and fibre. They’re not the villain here. Just… maybe skip them when your smoothie’s star ingredient is berries.
What Can You Use Instead?
Try mango, citrus, or pineapple — lower in that enzyme and still super tasty. Or just eat your berries on the side and blend your banana with something else.
Bottom line: Don’t stress it. Smoothies are supposed to be fun. If you love bananas, keep ’em. But if you’re trying to max out those berry benefits, maybe it’s time for a little smoothie remix.
