ESPSmoothies are a quick and delicious way to load up on fruits and vegetables, but some ingredient combinations may not be as healthy as they seem. Scientists from the University of California, Davis, discovered that the types of fruits blended can change how much nutrition your body absorbs.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that adding a banana to your smoothie may drastically reduce the absorption of flavanols — powerful compounds linked to heart and brain health. The culprit is polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme abundant in bananas that interferes with flavanol availability. In experiments, banana-based smoothies cut flavanol absorption by 84% compared to berry-based ones.
In 2022, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommended consuming 400 to 600 milligrams of flavanols each day for cardiometabolic health. Ottaviani noted that for people aiming to reach that target, it helps to pair flavanol-rich fruits such as berries with ingredients that have low PPO activity, like pineapple, oranges, mango, or yogurt.
Bananas are still a nutritious fruit, but Ottaviani advised that if you enjoy banana smoothies, it may be best not to mix them with flavanol-heavy foods like berries, grapes, or cocoa.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027224844.htm
