UK Surgeon Says Bananas In Berry Smoothies Are Completely Safe
UK surgeon dismisses claim banning bananas in berry smoothies.
A claim circulating on social media suggesting that adding bananas to berry smoothies reduces the nutritional value of berries has been debunked by UK-based surgeon and health content creator Dr Karan Rajan, who says the assertion is not supported by scientific evidence and stems from misinterpretation of research findings.
The claim gained traction online with users suggesting that bananas can “destroy” the nutrients in berries when blended together in smoothies. However, medical experts have clarified that this is a misunderstanding of how food chemistry and digestion work, and that such statements oversimplify complex biochemical processes involved in nutrient absorption.
According to Dr Karan Rajan, the viral claim traces back to a real scientific paper, but the study in question did not actually test the effect of mixing bananas with berries. Instead, it explored a different biochemical interaction under controlled laboratory conditions, which has been incorrectly extrapolated in online discussions.
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The 2023 research paper, titled Impact of polyphenol oxidase on the bioavailability of flavan-3-ols in fruit smoothies: a controlled, single blinded, cross-over study, examined the role of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. In the experiment, researchers used cocoa-derived flavonol powder in smoothies containing banana versus those made with mixed berries to observe how enzymatic activity might affect flavanol stability.
However, scientists noted that the conditions used in the study—particularly the use of isolated cocoa flavonols rather than whole fruit matrices—do not accurately replicate typical smoothie consumption scenarios. As a result, the way the enzyme interacts in real-world fruit combinations such as bananas and berries remains inconclusive and cannot be used to draw firm dietary conclusions.
Experts emphasise that current evidence does not support the idea that bananas reduce the nutritional value of berry smoothies. Instead, they stress that such claims often arise from misinterpreted research or incomplete science communication, highlighting the importance of context when interpreting nutritional studies shared on social media.
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