Helicobacter worms found in bananas that kill within 72 hours? Is this a fungus or a worm?

Recently, news about "bananas containing a worm called Helicobacter" has appeared on the Internet and spread widely on social media, accompanied by a terrifying picture of the worm wriggling on the surface of the banana.

Some consumers can't help but worry, are bananas still edible? What if they encounter such bugs?

In fact, this is completely false news.

First, the video claims that "500 tons of bananas were imported from Somalia recently." However, according to the "List of Overseas Registered Enterprises Allowed to Import Fruits in 2021" published on the website of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Department of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, there is no information about bananas being imported from Somalia.

What's even more ridiculous is that there is no such worm as Helicobacter worm in the world.

Looks more like instant noodles...

Helicobacter + worms = Helicobacter worms?

The term "Helicobacter worm" includes both bacteria and worms, but in fact there is no connection between the two species.

Helicobacter pylori is often referred to as Helicobacter pylori because of its spiral shape. This bacterium is very demanding in terms of growth conditions and is the only known microorganism that can survive in the highly acidic environment of the human stomach.

Helicobacter pylori under an electron microscope, image from Wikipedia

If this microorganism is really found in the stomach, it is necessary to pay close attention. Infection with Helicobacter pylori may cause gastritis, lymphoproliferative gastric lymphoma and other malignant diseases. It is a Class I carcinogen for gastric cancer.

You can rest assured that Helicobacter pylori, a pathogen of human gastric disease, cannot infect plants, so it is impossible for it to multiply in large numbers inside bananas. At most, it can contaminate the surface of the banana through other substances, such as water.

However, worms and bacteria are completely unrelated. They belong to different taxonomic levels. Worms are mainly the common name for flatworms, annelids, nemerteans, acanthocephalans and marsupials.

The appearance of worms is not even spiral-shaped. Worms are visible to the naked eye, while Helicobacter is a microorganism that cannot be seen by the naked eye. It can be seen that the rumor maker just ignorantly combined two shocking words together in an attempt to attract attention.

Common worms in life

Even if the banana is infected with Helicobacter pylori, it will not enter the human body if the skin is peeled off and then eaten. Even if the flesh is infected, it is impossible to die within 72 hours as described in this fake news.

Whether a trace amount of bacteria can multiply in large numbers and cause symptoms after entering the human body remains to be seen. If symptoms occur due to Helicobacter pylori infection, symptoms such as empty stomach pain, bloating, and dull pain may occur. Most of them can be cured through timely treatment.

Is it possible to have bugs in bananas?

So, apart from the spirochete worms that do not exist at all, are there really any pests and diseases that can infect bananas and become a potential hazard to human health?

In fact, there is a substance called banana anhydride in the banana peel, which is not a favorite food for insects. However, as long as it is a plant, it cannot avoid some common diseases and pests, such as banana crown rot, banana aphids, weevils, leaf rollers and other major pests.

Banana with crown rot, with obvious lesions on the surface

However, pests and diseases are the main problems that affect the output of the banana planting industry. The national regulatory authorities will naturally strictly control it, and bananas with pests and diseases will never flow into the daily market in large quantities.

Can I still eat a banana if its surface changes color?

Instead of worrying about buying problematic bananas, we should pay more attention to how to avoid problems after buying bananas.

Generally speaking, if banana fruits are stored for too long, they are more likely to attract fruit flies, which will lay eggs inside the bananas and produce fruit fly larvae, which we often call "maggots."

Bananas that attract fruit flies

However, this type of larvae itself is harmless to humans. If it is accidentally ingested, it will not only make people feel disgusted, but it can also supplement some protein.

In fact, what we need to worry about is that after bananas rot, they are often contaminated by other microorganisms. These microorganisms may produce some toxic substances during the reproduction process, causing food poisoning after consumption.

In reality, compared to banana rotting, the rapid blackening of banana peels and the appearance of black sesame or plum blossom spots are more likely to attract people's attention. Is this the growth of some kind of bacteria? Will it cause harm to the human body?

Indeed, this is also a symptom of a disease called "anthracnose". Specifically, dark brown spots grow on the surface of bananas, gradually expanding, and then the entire banana skin and even the flesh turn black and rot.

Comparison of different stages of ripening of bananas

However, the study found that "as long as the blackening only stays on the peel and the flesh is not affected, this type of banana often has a higher nutritional value." This is because the bacteria that cause banana anthracnose will not have any effect on the human body.

This symptom only appears when the banana is ripe. The appearance of black spots actually means that the banana is fully ripe. It is when the sugar content is the highest, and the taste is softer and sweeter.

On the contrary, experts do not recommend eating bananas with smooth, clean skin and good appearance, because most bananas at this time are still in the immature and green stage, containing more tannic acid, which is also the source of the astringent taste when eaten.

Tannic acid will combine with iron molecules, proteins, or calcium molecules in food, hindering the intestinal mucosa's absorption of these nutrients. Instead of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, it will inhibit gastrointestinal motility and aggravate constipation.

Frosted banana, the whole thing is black

So, in order to prevent bananas from rotting, can we put them in the refrigerator? This is actually a wrong behavior. The maximum temperature in the refrigerator is generally around 7 degrees Celsius. Bananas are very easy to be frozen and will turn black after one day.

It is enough to store it at room temperature for daily use. Of course, it is better not to store it. The best option is to buy as much as you eat.

In addition to the rumors about Helicobacter worms, other rumors about bananas have emerged in recent years, such as that bananas will completely disappear by 2050 due to global warming; bananas with black spots are poisonous and cannot be eaten; bananas are ripened with drugs, and eating them is harmful to the body...

In short, I hope that consumers will open their eyes and not be deceived by such rumors again. Our country’s bananas are delicious and safe and can be eaten with confidence.

END

Author: Shi Jun, PhD in Botany

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Editor/Xiao Xitushuo