Which is More Effective for Bowel Movement: Banana or Plantain?

People with constipation need to choose bananas to eat based on their type of constipation, and it cannot be generalized as to which type of banana is more effective for relieving constipation. Plantains are warm in nature and contain richer dietary fiber and a large amount of water-soluble plant fiber. Therefore, plantains are more effective than bananas in lubricating the intestines and relieving constipation, and are suitable for elderly patients with constipation. Bananas are cold in nature and can clear intestinal heat, and are more suitable for heat-induced constipation caused by accumulated heat in the stomach and intestines. They can be eaten 1-2 hours after meals, with 1-2 bananas per day being appropriate. For people with deficiency-induced constipation and cold-induced constipation, due to their inherently cold constitution, which is similar to the cold nature of bananas, eating bananas may not be conducive to relieving constipation, and they should eat less. According to traditional Chinese medicine, constipation is divided into four categories: heat-induced constipation, qi-induced constipation, deficiency-induced constipation, and cold-induced constipation. The manifestations of heat-induced constipation include dry and hard stool, short and dark urine, red face and body heat, or accompanied by abdominal distension and pain, dry mouth and bad breath, etc. People with constipation need to choose bananas to eat based on their type of constipation, and it cannot be generalized as to which type of banana is more effective for relieving constipation. Eating bananas regularly is not only beneficial to the brain and prevents neural fatigue, but also has the effects of lubricating the lungs, relieving cough, and preventing constipation. People with hemorrhoidal bleeding or those with restless fetal movement due to heat can eat raw banana flesh, which has a certain effect on relieving symptoms. Plantains can clear intestinal heat, lubricate the intestines and relieve constipation, and can be used to treat symptoms such as heat-induced thirst and other conditions. Plantains have a sweet taste and a cold nature, entering the lungs and large intestine meridians, and have the effects of clearing heat, promoting the production of saliva to quench thirst, lubricating the lungs and smoothing the intestines; plantains are mainly used to treat heat-induced diseases, thirst, constipation, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and other symptoms.