Doctor's sensational claim about the 'most dangerous fruit you can eat' even though thousands enjoy it daily: 'It's not even healthy'
- Doctor has sparked fierce debate after claiming bananas are 'dangerous'
- Dr Daniel Pompa is a health specialist based in Utah with 1.9 million followers
- There is reason for Australian consumers to be reassured
- READ MORE: Aldi products that taste the 'exact same' as expensive brands
A doctor has sparked fierce debate online after claiming one of the world's most popular fruit choices is 'dangerous'.
Dr Daniel Pompa, a cellular health specialist based in Utah, regularly shares wellness advice with his 1.9 million Instagram followers.
But it's one recent video about bananas that has left viewers stunned.
'I believe this is the most dangerous fruit we can eat,' he began.
'Actually, I think it's not even healthy, yet parents are giving it to [their] children. It's even found in healthy smoothies.'
According to Dr Pompa, the issue isn't just the natural sugar content but also what is sprayed on the fruit before it reaches supermarket shelves.
'Loaded with fungicide,' he claimed.
'They spray it like crazy with a fungicide [and] something called ethylene, which they do to actually start the ripening process, which all end up in the banana, in us.'
Dr Daniel Pompa (pictured), a cellular health specialist based in Utah, has sparked fierce debate online after claiming one of the world's most popular fruit choices is 'dangerous'
Ethylene is widely used in commercial fruit production to trigger ripening after transport.
Bananas are typically picked green and exposed to ethylene gas to ensure they ripen evenly before being sold.
However, Dr Pompa believes this process poses a risk to gut health, alleging it 'destroys our microbiome'.
The doctor went on to claim bananas may also aggravate certain health conditions in the body.
'If you have aches, pains, inflammation, arthritis, it can make it worse because of the sugar called amylose,' he warned.
Amylose is a component of starch found in many plant foods, including bananas. While unripe bananas contain more resistant starch, riper bananas have a higher sugar content as starches convert during ripening.
Dr Pompa also referenced advice from a mould specialist called Dr Richie Shoemaker.
'The mould expert used to tell people, "do not ever eat bananas if you have mould toxicity" because of the amylose. It makes it worse and makes you feel worse, not healthy.'
According to Dr Pompa, the issue isn't just the natural sugar content in bananas but also what is sprayed on the fruit before it reaches supermarket shelves, saying they're 'loaded with fungicides,' and risk destroying the body's microbiome (Stock image)
However, local industry leaders have pushed back against suggestions bananas are unsafe.
Amy Spear, Communications Manager for the Australian Banana Growers Council, said Australian consumers can be reassured about the fruit sold in supermarkets nationwide.
'What we can say is that in Australia, we're lucky that every banana you buy is grown right here on one of about 540, mostly family-run farms,' she told Daily Mail.
She explained that Australia's strict biosecurity standards mean growers face fewer threats than many overseas producers.
'Australia is free of some of the world's most devastating banana pests and diseases, so less chemical controls are needed. Any that are used are done so under incredibly strict regulations and tests ensure there is no unsafe residue.'
However, local industry leaders have pushed back. 'Australia is free of some of the world's most devastating banana pests and diseases, so less chemical controls are needed. Any that are used are done so under incredibly strict regulations and tests ensure there is no unsafe residue,' Amy Spear, Communications Manager for the Australian Banana Growers Council told Daily Mail (Stock image)
Bananas have long been promoted as a convenient source of potassium, vitamin B6 and fibre, and are commonly recommended as a pre- or post-workout snack.
Dr Pompa's warning has divided other social media users too, with some saying they had 'no idea' about fungicide use in commercial fruit production, while others questioned whether cutting out bananas entirely was necessary.
'I eat bananas daily - this is so scary!' one wrote.
'Ethylene is a natural plant hormone used to ripen bananas, not a toxic chemical. This guy is scaremongering. Bananas are good for you,' added another.
'In ripening chambers, its concentration in the air is increased; it does not leave chemical residues in the pulp, and it breaks down quickly in the environment (and it cannot accumulate in the human body either),' a third said.
'You know tomatoes produce ethylene naturally during ripening. Should we stop eating those too?' another person argued.
Nutrition experts generally advise that fruit intake forms part of a balanced diet, and that overall dietary patterns - rather than a single food - play a larger role in long-term health outcomes.
Still, the clip has reignited conversation about pesticide use, food production processes and whether the 'healthy smoothie' trend is always as wholesome as it appears.
