Fact Check: Can Bananas cure depression?

Fact Check: This claim is FALSE.

Understanding Depression

Depression is a common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time. Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at school and at work. Depression can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression. Women are more likely to have depression than men. (1)

Dr. Shabiullah Syyed, Consultant Psychiatrist, The Definitive Mind Clinic, New Delhi, further explains, "Depression normally accompanies with the feeling of worthlessness, changing in appetite and depressed moods, which might affect people's social and occupational functioning. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that depression affects about 350 million people around the world and reported depression as the major factor for the global burden of diseases about 4.4%. Depression contributed to diabetes, heart diseases, and increased the total mortality." 

Nutritional Information about Banana

Banana (scientific name: Musa paradisiaca Linn) is low calorie (1 banana- approx. 116 kcal), low fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. It also has certain antifungal, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Bananas are also a good source of potassium as well an excellent source of vitamins A, B-6, C, and D. (2)

Can Bananas cure depression?

Bananas are helpful in the treatment of some emotional and mental stress disorders because they contain an important amino acid known as tryptophan, which is needed for the synthesis of serotonin, which is helpful to make the person relax and improve mood. (2)

A research paper published in the Journal of Affective Disorders by Tong J et al. concluded that banana consumption might have effects on depressive symptoms. A negative association between moderate banana consumption and depressive symptoms was found in males, while in females, high banana consumption was positively related to depressive symptoms. (3)

In a research study conducted by Noreen Samad et al. published in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, it was found that phytochemicals present in banana pulp and peel have therapeutic effects against anxiety, depression and memory impairment, possibly due to their antioxidant mechanism.  (4)

However, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that eating bananas can cure depression.

What do experts say?

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team asked Dr J.M. Wadhawan, Advisor, Institute of Mental Health & Behavioral Science, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, this question he said, " Depression is something that cannot be cured just with a banana. Though a banana is only rich in serotonin and it cannot cure depression. But it is good for general health because bananas have plenty of other nutritional components: iron, potassium, etc. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that only eating bananas can cure depression. As doctors, we suggest reuptake inhibitors, which help in treating depression. As we suggest, patients have good nutrition, do regular exercise and yoga, and participate in other recreational activities. Bananas may be considered a part of good nutrition, but it is not scientifically proven that they can cure depression." 

Dr. Shabiullah Syyed, Consultant Psychiatrist, The Definitive Mind Clinic, New Delhi, further added, "Bananas contain many kinds of substances that are beneficial to depressive symptoms. every 100 g of raw banana contains 74.91 g water, 89.00 g energy, 12.23 g sugar, 1.09 g protein and other nutrients, such as fibre. Bananas contain several minerals and vitamins that have been proven to be beneficial to nervous system function. For instance, magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and vitamin B have been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms. Decreased serotonin levels is a significant mechanism of depression. Although the serotonin in bananas does not cross the blood-brain barrier, bananas contain tryptophan, which is the sole precursor of both peripherally and centrally produced serotonin. Phyto-antioxidants in bananas’ fruit pulp and peel could relieve the symptoms of depression. Conversely, according to USDA data, every 100 g of raw banana contains 12.23 g of sugar. Additional animal studies indicated that excessive sugar consumption could inhibit sugar from binding to dopamine and mu-opioid receptors in the brain, thereby restraining the activity of the brain. It has been found that sugar increases the risk of depressive symptoms. There is a negative association between moderate banana consumption and depressive symptoms in males. In females, high banana consumption is positively related to depressive symptoms. So, to conclude, Bananas can’t cure depression once a person has gotten it.  Although it has been found that women who eat 2 bananas (approx 130gms) daily are less likely to report symptoms of depression in the longer run." 

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid involved in the production of serotonin—a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood—there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the idea that eating bananas alone can cure depression. Depression is a complex mental health disorder that involves various factors and often requires a combination of treatments, including medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and sometimes nutritional adjustments. Bananas are nutritious and can be part of a healthy diet, contributing to overall well-being. They provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may support general health, but they should not be considered a standalone treatment for depression.

Hence, the claim that Bananas can cure depression is FALSE.

Corrigendum:

In the earlier version of this story, we incorrectly referred to the clinic of Dr. Shabiullah Syyed as "Definite Mind Clinic." The correct name of the clinic is "Definitive Mind Clinic." We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

References

1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352793672_Health_benefits_of_banana_Musa-_A_review_study

3. Ji T, Li X, Meng G, Gu Y, Zhang Q, Liu L, Wu H, Yao Z, Zhang S, Wang Y, Zhang T, Wang X, Cao X, Li H, Liu Y, Wang X, Wang X, Sun S, Zhou M, Jia Q, Song K, Sun Z, Wu XH, Niu K. The association between banana consumption and the depressive symptoms in Chinese general adult population: A cross-sectional study. J Affect Disord. 2020 Mar 1;264:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.12.008. Epub 2019 Dec 5. PMID: 31846806.

4. Samad N, Muneer A, Ullah N, Zaman A, Ayaz MM, Ahmad I. Banana fruit pulp and peel involved in antianxiety and antidepressant effects while invigorate memory performance in male mice: Possible role of potential antioxidants. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017 May;30(3(Suppl.)):989-995. PMID: 28655697.