Green banana and pineapple fibre shown to raise beneficial bacteria – Dole-funded trial
Green banana powder was also shown to benefit overweight or obese individuals.
The study was conducted by researchers from microbiome firm AMILI Singapore, Monash University Malaysia, and Dole Specialty Ingredients.
Findings of the trial were published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
Sixty adults were divided into three groups taking either the placebo, or green banana powder, or pineapple fibre powder dissolved in any liquid of their choice to a total daily fibre intake of five grams.
They were also told to avoid consuming other pre- or probiotic products. All study ingredients were provided by Dole Speciality Ingredients.
To assess changes in their gut microbiome, the researchers conducted an online survey to track their stool frequency and collected their stool samples.
Findings showed that supplementation of green banana powder has significantly raised the amounts of seven health-promoting bacteria species from baseline.
They are F. prausnitzii, B. longum, B. bifidum, B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. obeum and Roseburia inulinivorans.
Pineapple fibre powder, on the other hand, has increased the amounts of six health-promoting bacteria species.
Aside from B. bifidum and R. inulinivorans which also went up in the group taking green banana powder, their amounts of B. ovatus, B. cellulosilyticus, B. intestinalis, and Eubacterium siraeum were also enriched.
Some of the health benefits of these bacteria include increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids.
B. ovatus, for example, was reported to have increased short-chain fatty acids in individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), said the researchers, citing research findings published in iScience in 2022.
High B. cellulosilyticus levels are also significantly correlated with healthy, plant-based diets, but is depleted in metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
“High B. cellulosilyticus levels are significantly correlated with healthy, plant-based diets, but is depleted in MHO and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Its intake lowers plasma lipids while improving cardiac function and atherosclerotic plaque formation,” the researchers added, citing a research published last year.
More benefits for overweight, young adults
The researchers also compared the amounts of these beneficial bacteria in both groups with a database collected by AMILI Singapore.
According to the database, overweight or obese individuals have a lower abundance of B. longum, B. adolescentis, R. inulinivorans, and E. siraeum as compared to those who were underweight or have normal body mass index (BMI).
E. siraeum was also deficient in individuals who were underweight, overweight, or obese, with females having much lower E. siraeum levels than males. E. siraeum is an anti-inflammatory acetate-producing probiotic bacterium.
As a result, the researchers said that overweight and or obese women were likely to benefit the most from green banana consumption.
“Since green banana powder increased the abundance of these taxa, overweight and/or obese females are likely to benefit the most from green banana powder consumption,” they said.
According to the database, adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 23 also have lower amounts of B. longum, B. adolescentis, B. ovatus, and B. cellulosilyticus. As such, the researchers said that they were more likely to benefit from the fruit fibre supplementation as well.
Based on the findings, the researchers said that the fruit fibre powders, being made from fruit wastes, were both health beneficial and environmentally friendly.
“Green banana powder and pineapple fibre powder are unique dietary fibre supplements due to the advanced technologies used to process fruit wastes and generate these powders. The environmentally friendly, minimal processing methods retains the fruits’ maximum nutritional benefits.
“Simultaneously, it ensures compatibility between the powders’ physical and chemical properties, and their intended food and beverage applications.
“Unlike most processed fibre products, no artificial additives are used to preserve the fruits’ health benefits. Our physical analysis of green banana powder and pineapple fibre powder showed both to have the sensory properties of a free-flowing powder and to solubilise easily with liquids to facilitate ingestion,” the researchers said.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition
Effect of green banana and pineapple fibre powder consumption on host gut microbiome
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1437645
Authors: Chong CW, Liew MS, Ooi W, Jamil H, Lim A, Hooi SL, Tay CSC and Tan G
