India, May 26 -- Researchers have found that adding bananas to berry smoothies may greatly reduce the body's ability to absorb flavanols, healthy plant compounds linked to better heart and brain health.
In a study published in the journal Food & Function, researchers tested smoothies made with ingredients containing different levels of an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Notably, bananas contain high levels of PPO, while mixed berries contain low levels.
"We sought to understand, on a very practical level, how a common food and food preparation like a banana-based smoothie could affect the availability of flavanols to be absorbed after intake," said lead author Javier Ottaviani.
Participants drank three different drinks - a banana...