Easy Blueberry Banana Smoothie Recipe - Stylish Cravings (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to eat blueberries and bananas together? ›

An enzyme in bananas makes flavanols less bioavailable when it's combined with berries. Researchers say bananas are still a great fruit to be eaten on the side, or added to smoothies that don't have flavanol-rich ingredients such as berries, grapes and cocoa.

Blueberries pack a nutritional punch of Vitamin C, folate and fiber. The berries' potassium has been shown to help lower high blood pressure—a particular risk factor during pregnancy. Milk and yogurt add calcium, vitamin D and protein to build strong bones for baby too.

But, there is a common mistake that people make when preparing their smoothie of choice. The new study found that smoothies combining bananas with berries proved to decrease in flavanols (a key nutrient in berries) after being blended together. Considering the health benefits of flavanols, this presents a problem.

Sweetness: Bananas are naturally sweet, containing sugars like fructose, which can overpower the taste of other fruits, especially when they're ripe. Texture: Bananas have a creamy texture when blended, adding a smooth consistency to the smoothie.

New Research Reveals Why You Shouldn't Add a Banana to Your Smoothies. Researchers have found that the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in certain fruits like bananas can reduce the absorption of heart-healthy flavanols, especially when combined with flavanol-rich ingredients like berries.

Citrus fruits like lime, oranges or grapefruits if combined with bananas, lead to indigestion or stomach discomfort for some people.

For those who want to consume smoothies with bananas, or other high PPO activity fruits and vegetables such as beet greens, the suggestion is to not combine them with flavanol-rich fruits such as berries, grapes and cocoa.

“Combining berries (a great source of flavanols) with bananas (a staple of smoothies) might not be a good idea: the enzymes in the banana break down the flavanols and none ends up in your stomach – or your body.”

Healthy Choices for Fruit Smoothie Recipes

Here are some to try: Raspberries, blueberries and strawberries ― fresh or frozen ― are packed with vitamins and fiber, and add appealing color and flavor. Bananas contain potassium and a fiber called inulin that helps you feel full and satisfied.

Should you use frozen berries in a smoothie? ›

And not only is frozen fruit more convenient (and often cheaper) than fresh fruit, they make for a better smoothie too. Frozen fruit blends into a rich and creamy texture while smoothies with only fresh fruit can be watery and runny (more on that later).

You can get a lot of nutrients packed into one little glass," says Fye. But too much of a good thing can be unhealthy. "An unhealthy smoothie, it would be one that maybe is just all fruit or has a lot of fruit juice — one that's really laden with added sugar and that's not very balanced," says Fye.

Why You'll Love Frozen Bananas. They make amazing smoothies. Bananas magically develop the texture of ice cream when they are frozen. They are cold, creamy, and naturally sweet, so they are perfect for adding an ice cream texture to your favorite smoothie recipe.

You May Experience Constipation: Banana contains a significant amount of tannic acid. While this chemical isn't harmful in small doses, anyone who eats several bananas or consume banana shake daily in one sitting may experience chronic constipation. So, try to have it in moderate amount.

Ethylene-producing fruits, such as apples, bananas, peaches and honeydew melons, should not be stored next to avocados, lemons, grapes, onions and other fruits or vegetables that are sensitive to this compound.

The banana-milk combination is packed with a range of nutrients. Milk contains potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B, and calcium. These components help strengthen bone health and manage nerve function, muscle contractions, and other key functions.

Blending certain ingredients in smoothies can affect the abortion of nutrients by the body. For example, a banana and blueberry smoothie may be a bad combination. According to a new study, adding a banana to fruit smoothies can decrease the level of flavanols in the smoothie as well as its absorption in the body.

Yes, you can certainly eat bananas with other fruits. Bananas can be a great addition to a fruit salad, mixed with other fruits like apples, oranges, and grapes. They also make a delicious snack when paired with other fruit like strawberries, mangoes, or pineapple.