Subscribe to our channel:    / @optispan  

Should you add bananas to your smoothies?

No, according to someone on TikTok who posted a viral video suggesting that our smoothies should be banana-free. On the basis of a 2023 scientific journal article, this TikTok user asserted that bananas destroy the beneficial polyphenols found in other fruits and vegetables that might be in your smoothie.

As is often the case with science, there's more to this story than the punchline. In this episode, Matt puts a magnifying glass to the 2023 journal article to figure out what the study actually showed, and whether we do, in fact, need to be careful about adding bananas to our smoothies.

0:00 Intro
0:44 Introduction to the Smoothie Myth
4:02 Debunking the Banana Smoothie Myth
5:02 Claims of the TikTok Viral Video
8:04 Understanding Polyphenol Oxidase
9:03 Polyphenol Oxidase and Bioactive Molecules
9:32 The Study's Experiments and Results
18:58 Experiment 1 - Bioavailability in Smoothies
26:43 Experiment 2 - Inside the Body
28:24 Polyphenol oxidase activity from various fruits
29:20 What the study did & did not show

Producers: Tara Mei, Nicholas Arapis
Video Editor: Jacob Keliikoa

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan podcast is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.

More places to find us:

Twitter:   / optispanpodcast  
Twitter:   / optispan  
Twitter:   / mkaeberlein  
Linkedin:   / optispan  

https://www.optispan.life/

Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it.

On this podcast I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these episodes helpful!