The Morning Banana Diet sweeping Japan has sent banana sales soaring 70% in some markets, with retailers scrambling to keep the fruit on shelves. Books, television, websites, blogs and social networking sites have fed the popularity of the Morning Banana Diet, which hinges upon eating bananas for breakfast, accompanied by room temperature water. Proponents claim they've lost as much as 37lbs.
But other than anecdotal evidence, is there scientific merit to such a diet? Researchers at the Dole Nutrition Institute have launched a study with the University of Colorado to explore the weight loss benefits of bananas. Professor Janine Higgins was selected to conduct the study based on her well-regarded research into resistant starch, a compound found in bananas which helps curb appetite and burn fat. Higgins will begin with some pre-clinical animal studies using bananas and measuring fat metabolism.
"There are real scientific reasons why banana consumption could help support weight loss," confirms Nick Gillitt, Ph.D., of the Dole Nutrition Institute. "Bananas contain resistant starch, whose byproducts block conversion of some carbohydrates into fuel, forcing your body to rely on fat stores instead. Bananas' overall nutrient density could also counteract deficiency-fueled cravings."
Virtually all health and diet experts would agree that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is key -- not only to sustainable weight loss, but overall better health. Toward that end, the worldwide interest in the Morning Banana Diet may succeed where years of nutrition education has failed, namely, getting the public to eat more fruit and vegetables; in this case, bananas. To learn more about the potential weight-loss benefits of bananas, visit www.dolebananadiet.com
