What's better for diarrhea, apple or banana?

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

According to one review, acute diarrhea affects millions of Americans annually, underscoring the common need for effective home remedies. When faced with this uncomfortable digestive issue, many people turn to simple, binding foods like apples and bananas for relief.

Quick Summary

Analyzes the effectiveness of apples versus bananas for relieving diarrhea, explaining how their preparation and ripeness impact digestive benefits, and outlining their roles in a bland diet.

Key Points

Ripe Bananas: Excellent for diarrhea due to pectin for binding stool and potassium for replenishing lost electrolytes.
Applesauce: Preferable to raw apples, as the cooking process and removal of the peel make it easy to digest and rich in binding pectin.
The BRAT Diet: Both fruits are key components of the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast), a bland, low-fiber approach to digestive recovery.
Avoid Raw Apples: Raw, unpeeled apples contain insoluble fiber that can aggravate diarrhea symptoms.
Prioritize Hydration: It is crucial to consume plenty of fluids, like water and broth, alongside these binding foods to prevent dehydration.
Consider Gut Health: As you recover, gradually introduce probiotic-rich foods, like low-fat yogurt, to help rebalance your gut microbiome.

The BRAT Diet: The Foundational Approach for Digestive Distress

For decades, the medical community has recommended the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) as a go-to for soothing digestive upset. This diet focuses on bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and help bind loose stools. Both apples and bananas are cornerstone components of this approach, but their specific preparation is key to their effectiveness during a bout of diarrhea.

Why Bananas Are a Go-To for Diarrhea

Bananas are famous for their ability to help manage diarrhea, thanks to a few key properties:

Pectin Content: Bananas, particularly ripe ones, are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber. Pectin absorbs excess liquid in the intestines, helping to add bulk and firm up stool.
Potassium Replenishment: Diarrhea can cause a significant loss of potassium, an essential electrolyte. Bananas are a powerhouse of potassium and can effectively help replenish these lost nutrients, preventing dehydration and weakness.
Ease of Digestion: The soft, mushy texture of a ripe banana is gentle on a sensitive digestive system.

Interestingly, the ripeness of the banana matters. Ripe bananas (yellow with brown spots) contain more soluble fiber and are gentler, whereas unripe or green bananas contain resistant starch, which some studies suggest can also help manage diarrhea, especially when cooked. For most cases, however, a ripe, plain banana is the safest bet for its reliable binding effect.

The Apple Conundrum: Preparation is Everything

Unlike bananas, not all apple preparations are created equal when it comes to managing diarrhea. In fact, raw, unpeeled apples can sometimes worsen symptoms due to their high insoluble fiber content, which speeds up bowel movements.

To make apples beneficial for diarrhea, the key is preparation:

Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce is a core part of the BRAT diet because it's easy to digest and contains a high concentration of pectin. The cooking process breaks down the fibers, making it soothing for the stomach and effective at binding loose stools.
Peeled and Cooked Apples: Similarly, eating peeled, cooked apples is a great way to benefit from their pectin content while avoiding the irritating insoluble fiber found in the skin.

Comparison Table: Apple vs. Banana for Diarrhea


Feature	Banana (Ripe)	Apple (Applesauce/Peeled, Cooked)
Stool Firming	High (via pectin and starches)	High (via pectin)
Potassium Replenishment	High (excellent source of potassium)	Moderate (good source of potassium)
Gentleness on Stomach	High (soft texture, easy to digest)	High (cooked form is easy to digest)
Ease of Preparation	Ready to eat	Requires cooking or purchasing applesauce
Primary Benefit	Replenishing electrolytes + binding	Pectin-based binding + soothing effect
Potential Pitfall	None with ripe fruit	Raw/unpeeled fruit can worsen symptoms

Expanding Beyond the BRAT Diet

While the BRAT diet provides a safe starting point, it's not nutritionally complete for long-term recovery. As you start to feel better, it's important to gradually reintroduce other bland, low-fat foods. Here are some options to consider:

Plain White Rice: A low-fiber, easily digestible carb that helps add bulk to stool.
White Toast or Crackers: Simple, bland starches that are easy on the stomach.
Clear Broths: Excellent for staying hydrated and replacing lost sodium.
Boiled Potatoes: A good source of energy and easy to digest.
Probiotic-Rich Foods (if tolerated): Yogurt or kefir with live cultures can help restore healthy gut bacteria, but avoid if dairy exacerbates symptoms.

What to Avoid During Diarrhea

Just as important as knowing what to eat is knowing what to avoid. Certain foods can irritate the digestive system and worsen diarrhea. These include:

High-Fiber Foods: Whole grains, nuts, and fibrous raw vegetables.
Fatty and Fried Foods: These are difficult to digest and can trigger more diarrhea.
Dairy Products: Many people experience temporary lactose intolerance during diarrhea.
Spicy Foods: Can irritate the stomach and intestinal lining.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Both can be dehydrating and stimulate the bowels.
Sugary Drinks and Sweets: Excess sugar can pull fluid into the intestines, worsening symptoms.

Conclusion: Both are Effective, But Bananas have a Slight Edge

Ultimately, both apples (in the form of applesauce or peeled/cooked) and ripe bananas are excellent choices for managing diarrhea, and both are staples of the recommended BRAT diet. However, ripe bananas hold a slight edge due to their potassium-rich profile, which is crucial for replenishing lost electrolytes and combating weakness.

For the quickest and most soothing relief, a ripe banana is ready to eat and gentle on the stomach. If you prefer apples, opt for unsweetened applesauce or a cooked, peeled apple. The most important takeaway is to stick to these bland, binding foods, stay hydrated with plenty of fluids, and avoid foods that will further irritate your digestive system.

Remember to listen to your body and consult a healthcare provider if your symptoms persist or worsen. To learn more about other supportive foods and lifestyle changes, explore resources on general digestive health, such as those from the Cleveland Clinic: What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea.

Frequently Asked Questions

For diarrhea, the best forms of apple are unsweetened applesauce or cooked, peeled apples. Raw, unpeeled apples contain too much insoluble fiber, which can worsen symptoms.

Bananas are excellent for diarrhea because they are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that absorbs excess water and helps firm stool. They also provide potassium, a crucial electrolyte lost during frequent bowel movements.

While some sources suggest cooked green bananas may help, ripe bananas are generally recommended for their gentler, more predictable binding effect. Unripe bananas contain resistant starch that can be harder to digest for some individuals.

Plain apple juice might be acceptable, but some studies show that excess fructose can worsen diarrhea. It is generally safer to stick to unsweetened applesauce or peeled, cooked apples for binding benefits without the high sugar content.

The BRAT diet is an acronym for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. It consists of bland, low-fiber foods that are easy on the stomach and help firm up stool during bouts of diarrhea.

Besides applesauce and bananas, other bland foods like white rice, white toast, crackers, boiled potatoes, and clear broths are recommended. Staying hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks is also critical.

You should see a doctor if diarrhea lasts for more than a few days, if you experience severe abdominal pain, bloody or black stools, high fever, or signs of dehydration like extreme thirst or decreased urination.