Effect of Banana Ingestion on Urinary Excretion of 5-Hydroxyindole Compounds in Normal Adults

Abstract

Summary

1. Banana ingestion (12 g/kg/24 hr) by normal adults produced an average 2-fold increase in urinary excretion of 5-OH indoles. This was not of such magnitude as to suggest an erroneous diagnosis of malignant carcinoid. 2. Collection of 24-hour urine specimens and use of a quantitative test are advocated over collection of random urine specimens. Positive screening tests should be checked by a quantitative method.