What common fruit causes constipation? A deep dive into nutrition and digestive health

October 8, 2025 •

5 min read

According to digestive health experts, the ripeness of a banana determines its effect on your bowels, a key detail when considering what common fruit causes constipation. While some fruits are powerful allies in promoting regularity, others can surprisingly contribute to digestive slowdowns, depending on their state of maturity.

Quick Summary

This article explores how specific fruits, primarily unripe bananas and certain types of persimmons, can cause or worsen constipation. It details the nutritional changes during ripening and explains how fiber and hydration impact bowel function, offering practical advice for digestive wellness.

Key Points

Unripe bananas: Contain high levels of resistant starch and pectin, which act as binding agents and can cause constipation by slowing digestion.
Astringent persimmons: Are rich in tannins that can slow down muscle contractions in the intestines, aggravating or causing constipation.
Ripeness matters: The effect of a banana on your bowels depends entirely on its ripeness; ripe bananas are beneficial, while unripe ones can be binding.
Hydration is crucial: Increasing fiber intake requires a proportional increase in water consumption to prevent the fiber from becoming a constipating factor.
Beneficial fruits: Ripe bananas, prunes, apples, and kiwis are excellent sources of fiber and moisture that can help relieve constipation.
Listen to your body: Individual digestive systems react differently, so pay attention to how certain foods, especially those with binding potential, affect you.

The Constipation Culprits: Unripe Bananas and Persimmons

While fruits are typically championed for their fiber content and health benefits, some varieties harbor characteristics that can lead to digestive trouble. For many, the answer to what common fruit causes constipation lies in the timing of consumption rather than the fruit itself. The most notable examples are unripe bananas and astringent persimmons.

The Tale of the Unripe Banana

Unripe, or green, bananas are a well-documented cause of constipation for many individuals. The key lies in their unique composition. As a banana matures from green to yellow, its starches convert into simple sugars, and its fiber profile changes. Unripe bananas contain high levels of resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that is not easily broken down in the small intestine. This undigested starch acts as a binding agent, slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Unripe bananas are often part of the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet, which is designed to help alleviate diarrhea by binding up the digestive system.
They are also rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that draws water from the intestines, which can make stools harder if not enough fluid is consumed.

The Tannins in Persimmons

Persimmons, particularly the more astringent varieties, are another fruit that can worsen constipation. These fruits contain high concentrations of tannins, which can inhibit digestion.

Tannins are astringent compounds that can slow down peristalsis—the natural muscle contractions that move food through the intestines.
Astringent persimmons are common in some parts of the world, and even the sweeter, non-astringent varieties can be problematic if consumed in large quantities.
The effect of tannins on bowel function is significant enough that medical professionals sometimes advise against feeding any kind of persimmon to a constipated child.

The Science Behind Fruit and Digestion

Understanding the types of fiber and the importance of hydration is crucial for managing digestive health. The fiber content in fruit plays a pivotal role in regulating bowel movements, and not all fiber is created equal.

Soluble vs. Insoluble Fiber

Soluble Fiber: This type of fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the gut. This gel helps to soften stools and adds bulk, making them easier to pass. Ripe bananas, apples, pears, and many berries are excellent sources of soluble fiber.
Insoluble Fiber: Often called 'roughage,' insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. It adds bulk to stool and helps speed up the passage of food through the digestive system. This is found in the skins and seeds of many fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and whole grains.

The Crucial Role of Hydration

Regardless of fiber intake, proper hydration is non-negotiable for preventing constipation. When you increase your fiber intake, it is vital to also increase your fluid intake. Fiber works by absorbing water to bulk up and soften stool. Without sufficient water, high fiber intake can actually worsen constipation. Drinking plenty of water, as well as natural juices and clear soups, helps the digestive system function smoothly.

Fruit to the Rescue: Your Allies Against Constipation

If you are prone to constipation, incorporating certain fruits into your diet can provide significant relief. Unlike their unripe counterparts, ripe bananas, for instance, are rich in soluble fiber and can be very helpful. Other powerhouse fruits include:

Prunes: Often considered a natural laxative, prunes are packed with both fiber and sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that draws water into the intestines to soften stool.
Apples: A medium apple with the skin on contains a good mix of soluble and insoluble fiber, and the pectin within can have a laxative effect.
Pears: Like apples, pears are high in fiber and sorbitol, making them excellent for promoting regularity.
Kiwi: Rich in fiber and moisture, studies have shown that eating kiwi can increase bowel frequency and improve stool consistency.
Berries: Fruits like raspberries and blackberries are loaded with fiber and antioxidants, which support overall gut health.
Oranges: The fiber and water content in oranges can help regulate bowel movements.

How Ripeness and Preparation Affect Digestion


Feature	Unripe Banana	Ripe Banana	Persimmon (Astringent)	Persimmon (Non-Astringent)
Carbohydrate	High in resistant starch	High in simple sugars	High in tannins	Lower in tannins
Fiber Profile	More binding (resistant starch & pectin)	Softer (soluble fiber & less resistant starch)	Can inhibit peristalsis	High in dietary fiber
Effect on Bowels	Can cause or worsen constipation	Tends to relieve constipation	High risk of causing constipation	Generally beneficial for digestion
Best Used For	Firming up stools during diarrhea	Promoting regularity and softening stools	Best consumed in moderation due to tannin content	Regular consumption as part of a balanced diet

Practical Tips for Preventing Constipation

To effectively manage and prevent constipation, consider these practical dietary and lifestyle adjustments:

Increase fiber slowly: Add fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet gradually to allow your body to adjust. A sudden increase can cause bloating and gas.
Prioritize hydration: Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day. Water is essential for fiber to work properly in softening stools.
Stay active: Regular physical activity helps stimulate muscle contractions in your intestines, which encourages regular bowel movements.
Choose the right ripeness: If you are prone to constipation, opt for fully ripe fruits over unripe ones. Check the ripeness of fruits like bananas and persimmons before consuming them.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your system reacts to different foods. Everyone's digestive system is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Conclusion

The question of what common fruit causes constipation highlights the importance of nuance in nutrition. While the popular belief that bananas cause constipation has some basis, it critically depends on the fruit's ripeness. Unripe bananas, high in resistant starch, and astringent persimmons, rich in tannins, are the main culprits. However, their ripe counterparts are excellent sources of beneficial fiber that can relieve constipation. Ultimately, a balanced diet rich in varied fruits, adequate hydration, and regular physical activity provides the best defense against digestive issues. By understanding the specific properties of different fruits and listening to your body, you can make informed choices to support a healthy digestive system. For persistent or severe constipation, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not at all. The ripeness is key. While unripe (green) bananas can cause constipation due to their high resistant starch content, ripe (yellow) bananas are rich in soluble fiber and can help relieve constipation.

Astringent varieties of persimmons contain high levels of tannins. These compounds can slow down the natural movement of food through your intestines, leading to constipation, especially if eaten in large amounts.

Excellent choices for promoting regularity include prunes, apples, pears, kiwi, and berries. These fruits are rich in fiber and contain natural compounds like sorbitol (in prunes and pears) that can help soften stools.

Fiber works by absorbing water to bulk up and soften your stool. Without enough fluid, especially water, a high-fiber diet can actually make constipation worse by creating a hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.

Cooking fruit generally breaks down its fiber, making it easier to digest. However, the effect of tannins in persimmons is not eliminated by cooking. For bananas, the starches convert to sugars as they ripen naturally, but cooking will not fully reverse the binding effect of a green banana.

Yes, you can. For bananas, simply choose ripe, yellow ones. For persimmons, consume them in moderation and choose non-astringent varieties. Always balance your diet with other fiber-rich foods and plenty of water.

While some fruit juices like prune and apple juice contain sorbitol which can have a laxative effect, most juices lack the dietary fiber found in whole fruits. Whole fruits are always the better choice for managing constipation due to their comprehensive fiber profile.