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Wikipedia claims that bananas have the same type of fiber (resistant starch) as grains. A few Paleo books have made the claim that the type of fiber in grains is bad for the gut, scratching and tearing it along the way. Does banana fiber do the same?

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My gut says bananas are VERY different from grain. – Nance Mar 16 2012 at 1:52

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i can't find the source, but i read somewhere that the first study that linked resistant starch consumption with the lowering of cholesterol was done at an african university and the subjects ate cooked green bananas. they are much higher in starch than yellow ones as the starch changes to sugar as the banana ripens; right?

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When discussing resistant starch, there are various forms. Bananas have the form RS2, which has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in several studies. Whole grains usually contain the resistant starch RS1 or, if well cooked/prepared, RS3. RS1 is mostly indigestible and RS3 appears hard to digest. RS2 appears quite beneficial, and the others (especially RS1) don't.

Also, I think people typically say the problem with grain fiber is the insoluble fiber. Chris Kresser recently covered this and many issues fiber related: http://chriskresser.com/myths-and-truths-about-fiber

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Do you mean RS2 "appears quite beneficial" above? – Nance Mar 16 2012 at 1:52
Nice catch, thanks Nance. – Mscott Mar 16 2012 at 2:10

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