Adopting a Starch-Based Diet Exclusively Featuring Green Bananas and Plantains May Potentially Ward Off Cancer
Snack Smarter for Superior Health: The Underrated Potential of Starchy Foods
"Wait a minute! You're telling me that chowing down on starchy foods can avoid cancer? It sounds too good to be true, but trust us, it's not," you might find yourself wondering. But have no fear, because green bananas and plantains just might be more than a delicious snack—they offer a plethora of health benefits beyond being a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Here's the deal: these lesser-known starchy superstars contain resistant starch, a nutrient that is sadly underappreciated and still largely under the radar. This magical chemical compound, when consumed, resists digestion in the small intestine and makes its way to the large intestine, where it feeds the friendly bacteria living in our guts. And let's be honest, who wouldn't want a supportive gut microbiome? Recent research suggests that we might want to return to eating slow-to-digest resistant starch and cut back on easily digestible, refined carbohydrates.
Resistant Starch and Cancer: It's Complicated
In a fascinating study published in the journal Cancer Prevention, researchers found that daily ingestion of resistant starch could potentially lower the risk of several cancers. By conducting a 20-year trial among 900 patients with Lynch Syndrome, the most common hereditary cause of colorectal cancer, the study revealed a "protective effect" against non-colorectal cancers like stomach, biliary tract, pancreatic, and duodenal cancers after four years of consuming 30 grams of resistant starch per day. That's right—just a daily banana could do the trick!
According to the study's leader, Professor John Mathers from Newcastle University, this gut-friendly compound works by altering the bacteria in our guts and reducing certain types of bile acids that are harmful to our DNA. The study discovered that the protective effect was "particularly evident" for cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach, biliary tract, pancreatic, and duodenal cancers.
Green Bananas: The Starch Solution
Rich in resistant starch, green bananas should be your go-to source. Rhonda Witwer, the co-creator of a company selling green banana powder supplements in the United States, has identified a gold mine of resistant starch in the virtually untapped world of green bananas. You read that right; green bananas can pack a whopping 65% resistant starch content when consumed raw!
But what about cooking the green plantains and green bananas? There isn't sufficient data to say how much resistant starch remains in cooked green plantains and bananas, but it might be more than in other foods since there are fewer competing components to interfere with the starch.
So, why don't we hear more about resistant starch? We need to educate ourselves about this health-promoting starch. The misconception that all starches are bad still looms large, much like the belief that all fats were dangerous before we discovered good fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Make no mistake—resistant starch is one nutrient worth including in your diet.
A Balanced Perspective on Yellow Bananas and Plantains
As bananas and plantains ripen, they lose their resistant starch content and become loaded with simple sugars. However, these still offer other benefits. Both are rich in dietary fiber and the banana even provides pectin, a type of fiber that helps maintain their structural integrity. So don't be too quick to pass on yellow plantains and bananas.
Resistant Starch: A Key to Improved Gut Health
One study showed that resistant starch fermentation helped heal leaky gut, a condition that can cause translocation of toxins across the gut barrier, leading to inflammation. Animal studies have also confirmed that resistant starch fermentation produces a lot of butyrates, a compound that is believed to be one of the key factors in healing a leaky gut. If you've been following a poor diet or struggling with intestinal issues, resistant starch could be the solution you've been looking for.
In conclusion, exploring the world of resistant starch can open up exciting possibilities for improving our overall health, particularly regarding cancer prevention and gut health. From green bananas and plantains to other sources like peas, beans, and whole grains, resistant starch has the potential to be a powerful ally in the fight against cancer. Keep it in mind the next time you're at the grocery store, and don't forget to embrace the power of smart snacking!
- The study in the journal Cancer Prevention suggests a "protective effect" against several cancers, such as stomach, biliary tract, pancreatic, and duodenal cancers, after four years of consuming 30 grams of resistant starch per day.
- Researchers found that a gut-friendly compound called resistant starch, when consumed, resists digestion in the small intestine and feeds the friendly bacteria living in our guts, potentially offering health benefits beyond being a good source of fiber and Vitamin C.
- Green bananas and plantains, rich in resistant starch, should be your go-to source for this gut-friendly compound, as they contain a whopping 65% resistant starch content when consumed raw.
- Recent studies show that resistant starch fermentation can help heal leaky gut and reduce inflammation, making it a potential solution for those struggling with intestinal issues. It's also worth including in a balanced diet for cancer prevention and improved gut health.
