Why did Rhonda Patrick stop eating bananas?

Rhonda Patrick stopped adding bananas to her smoothies because bananas contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). This enzyme breaks down polyphenols, which are beneficial compounds found in foods like blueberries. A study showed that when bananas are added to a smoothie containing blueberries, the levels of polyphenols absorbed by the body are significantly reduced. This findings led Rhonda Patrick to modify her smoothie recipes to avoid using bananas in order to maximize the health benefits of polyphenols 1.