Monday, April 13, 2009

Sleep Apnea & the Banana “Cure”

A small study has generated some big claims about bananas and obstructive sleep apnea.

One
news outlet proclaims that the “banana may prove to be a life saver” for people with sleep apnea. Another article states that bananas “may help cure sleep disorders and snoring.”

It sounds too good to be true. Is it fact, or online fiction?

The source of the buzz is a study from Australia. The results were presented last week at
a scientific meeting. The study abstract (#TP231) is available online.

The study examined the “surface active phospholipids” of bananas. It sought to determine how long the surface tissue of the mouth might retain these oily compounds.

Initial tissue cells were swiped from the inside of the subjects’ cheeks. Analysis found that these cells showed no evidence of phospholipids.

Then participants drank a 200 ml “aqueous suspension” – a fruit smoothie. The drink contained 130 grams of ripe banana. Tissue samples were taken one, two, four and six hours after consuming the drink.

Analysis determined that the majority of these cells showed signs of phospholipids. The intensity was “largely retained” six hours after drinking the banana smoothie.

The authors suggest that a coating of phospholipids on the throat may help prevent the collapse of the airway during sleep. They conclude that this could have value in the treatment of sleep apnea and snoring.

It is important to note that the study involved only eight healthy women with an average age of 20.1 years; none of the subjects had sleep apnea.

The study did not measure any kind of treatment effect. So there is no need to rush to the grocery store just yet. It is far too early to proclaim that bananas have any role in the treatment of sleep apnea.


Although you won’t find it at a fruit stand, CPAP is still the most effective treatment for sleep apnea. And oral appliances are another effective option.

2 comments:

Nicole said...

Sounds interesting...I will have to try it! Another crazy cure for sleep apnea is playing the didgeridoo! You can check out the story on my blog

http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2009/04/didgeridoo-for-sleep-apnea.html

Anonymous said...

I have moderate sleep apnea and have been doing the banana thing for two weeks. The difference is amazing. I am sleeping so much better, full of energy, and my morning aches and pains are gone. Once I had a nap but forgot my banana and woke up stiff and in pain.

I was about to get a CPAP machine but I sleep so poorly that nobody was predicting success. Now I don't need it!

My advice is: try it. Why not? I eat one third to one half a banana before bed and another third when I wake up to use the bathroom in the night. Haven't slept this well in many, many years. A miracle, really.

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