Bananas and plantains can both relieve constipation. Generally, for severe constipation, plantains are a better choice, while bananas can prevent and relieve mild constipation.
Because the two have some differences in their nature, people with constipation of different constitutions should choose the type of banana that suits their own constitution. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, bananas are sweet in taste and cold in nature. They can clear heat and moisten the intestines, promoting intestinal peristalsis. However, they are not suitable for those with spleen deficiency and diarrhea. Bananas are most suitable for people with a 'hot' constitution. Those with hemorrhoid bleeding or fetal restlessness caused by heat can eat raw banana flesh. However, precisely because bananas are cold in nature, people with a 'cold' constitution should avoid them. For example, those with a cold stomach, a 'cold' constitution, nephritis, or swelling in the legs during pregnancy should not eat raw bananas. They can choose other varieties like plantains or emperor bananas.
The nutritional value of plantains and bananas is similar; both are rich in potassium and magnesium. Modern medicine has confirmed that potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate, preventing high blood pressure and muscle cramps, while magnesium has the effect of eliminating fatigue. Moreover, the sugar in bananas can be quickly converted into glucose and immediately absorbed by the body, making it a quick source of energy. This is also why many athletes like to eat bananas during competitions. Furthermore, from a nutritional perspective, plantains are considered 'warmer' in nature, contain richer dietary fiber, and a large amount of water-soluble plant fiber. Therefore, their effect of moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements is superior to that of bananas, making them more effective for treating constipation. Thus, plantains are more suitable for people with a cold stomach and the elderly.