Vegetable fibre boosts defences against stomach infection
In a new study from the University of Liverpool, scientists looked at how vegetable fibre could influence the passage of damaging bacteria through cells inside the gut, the BBC reports. The study found that the fibre seemed to up our natural defence against stomach infection. Fibres from plantains (a large banana) and broccoli were especially helpful, although a common stabilizer added to processed foods had the opposite effect. Experts are now looking at whether broccoli and banana could be used to help treat patients with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that leads to symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.