People who should limit eating ripe bananas

- People with diabetes

Bananas contain carbohydrates, which are essential for the body. However, for people who need to monitor their blood sugar or have diabetes, eating ripe bananas can contribute to a spike in blood sugar due to the high carbohydrate content of bananas (an average of 27 grams per banana).

The glycemic index (GI) of bananas ranges from 42 to 62, which is low or medium depending on the ripeness of the banana. Yellow or ripe bananas contain less resistant starch and more sugar than green bananas, which means a higher GI, which causes blood sugar to rise faster when eaten.

In particular, fully ripe bananas (the skin has turned dark brown) are even sweeter due to their higher sugar content. Studies show that during the ripening process, the fiber in bananas begins to break down and the complex starches turn into simple sugars. This increases the sugar content of overripe bananas, making them a concern for people with diabetes. Therefore, people who are monitoring their blood sugar should consult their doctor about banana consumption.

According to MSc. Dr. Nguyen Thu Yen, an Endocrinologist - Diabetes specialist, people with diabetes should choose to eat green bananas, unripe bananas or nearly ripe bananas, and should not eat overripe bananas. Each time, they should only eat 1 small - medium or ½ large banana.

Blood sugar levels should be monitored regularly. In case the sugar level is higher than the allowed level, bananas should not be eaten.

- People with irritable bowel syndrome

Ripe bananas contain a significant amount of FODMAP - a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. When entering the intestine, FODMAP ferments and causes unpleasant symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

When bananas are broken down in the intestine, it often causes excess gas. For people with normal digestive systems, this usually does not cause any problems, but people with irritable bowel syndrome are prone to abdominal pain due to bloating after eating bananas.

- People with kidney disease

Bananas are rich in potassium, a mineral that is essential for the body. However, for people with kidney disease, the kidney's ability to excrete potassium is limited, consuming too much potassium can lead to hyperkalemia. Therefore, you should limit your consumption of this fruit.

In cases where people with diabetes already have chronic kidney disease or are using potassium-sparing diuretics, they should not eat bananas because bananas contain a lot of potassium, which can make the disease worse.