New research helps maximize the health benefits of fruit smoothies. Smoothies offer a delicious and easy method to incorporate essential fruits and vegetables into your diet. But is a banana and blueberry smoothie the best combo? New research from the University of California, Davis, suggests that

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. The study suggests choosing ingredients with low PPO activity, such as pineapple or oranges, when making smoothies to optimize flavanol absorption.

  •  Crotaro   ( @Crotaro@beehaw.org ) 
    2•10 months ago

    Hey, I know I’m like two days late to reply, but you probably wouldn’t need the salt even. The polyphenoloxidase reaction is what the name suggests, an oxidation. So it requires plenty of oxygen to run, which probably is inaccessible in water, I would assume.

    I actually wasn’t quite sure anymore if I had that right and when googling it, I managed to find an entire diploma thesis on the polyphenoloxidase reaction, so for anyone that’s interested in it more deeply (sorry, it’s in German aside for the abstract, which is in English, too), have fun c:

    •  h_ramus   ( @h_ramus@lemm.ee ) 
      2•10 months ago

      My experience is from preparing sliced apples to eat later. Dip them in slightly salted water for less than a minute and they’ll hold for quite some time. No need to carry water in the container. The salt must help create an insulation membrane against oxidation. This is all practical experience and I haven’t seen research on it.