Unveiling the Top Fruit for Optimal Digestive Health: Secrets from a Gastroenterologist
Feeling curious about the best fruits for gut health? Here's the inside scoop straight from the wise mouth of Dr. Saurabh Sethi, the Harvard and Stanford-educated gastroenterologist, who's a total Instagram sensation with over a million followers.
In a recent video, this gut health guru shared his ranking of popular fruits for their contributions to the gut microbiome. The number one top pick? You guessed it—blueberries! Packed with fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, they're the ultimate powerhouse when it comes to keeping those good gut bacteria thriving.
Pomegranates deserve a standing ovation with a score of nine, closely followed by kiwi and apples. Green bananas and melons slid into the middle of the pack, while grapes and oranges, despite being known as gut-friendly foods, ended up near the bottom of the list. Surprisingly, very ripe bananas only scored one, but don't rule this fruit out just yet—it's not the worst food for gut health by a long shot. In fact, another superfood you should avoid giving the villain treatment is bacon, which takes home the very undesirable title of -10 on Dr. Sethi's list.
Now, you might wonder why Dr. Sethi had such differing opinions on fruits like apples, which are often considered gut-healthy powerhouses. Well, turn the page, and that mystery will be solved!
Some speculate that the skin of apples—rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber—can cause bloating for certain individuals. Others argue that ranking fruits lower may discourage people from eating them, since all fruit offers incredible benefits for your gut and overall wellbeing.
A recent review in the Journal of Food Science & Nutrition highlights the significant potential of berries, citrus fruits, apples, and bananas for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and boosting immunity. You'll find blueberries stand out as the star of the show for gut health, but keep in mind that the key to a well-balanced diet is combining all these gut-healthy treats with an array of other nutritious options like protein, veggies, legumes, and whole grains.
Always remember that prioritizing your health is critical, and if you're considering making major changes to your diet, be sure to consult a healthcare professional. With that said, we hope you've taken away some valuable insights on fueling your body with gut-friendly foods to keep those good bacteria smiling!
The A-List of Gut-Friendly Fruits: Ranked
- Blueberries: 10
- Pomegranate: 9
- Kiwi: 8
- Apple: 7
- Pears: 6
- Slightly Green Bananas: 5
- Melons: 4
- Oranges: 3
- Grapes: 2
- Very Ripe Banana: 1
Be on the lookout for more gut-healthy wisdom from Dr. Saurabh Sethi as he continues to educate and inspire us!
- Dr. Saurabh Sethi, the renowned gastroenterologist and Instagram sensation, has shared his ranking of fruits for their contributions to the gut microbiome.
- At the top of the list is blueberries, with a score of 10, due to its high fiber, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Pomegranate, kiwi, and apples follow closely behind, each earning a score of 9, 8, and 7 respectively.
- Green bananas and melons found themselves in the middle of the pack, while grapes and oranges ended up near the bottom, with scores of 2 and 3.
- Interestingly, very ripe bananas scored just 1, but they are not the worst food for gut health.
- Further down the list, bacon, surprisingly, takes home the undesirable title of -10 on Dr. Sethi's gut health list.
- A balanced diet should combine these gut-healthy fruits with other nutritious options like protein, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and keep in mind that prioritizing health means consulting a healthcare professional.
