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

Abstract

BananaTngestion (12 g/ kg/24 hours) by normal adults produced an average 2-fold increase in urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoles ( 5-OH indoles). This was not of such magnitude as to suggest an erroneous diagnosis of malignant carcinoid. Routine screening determinations of 5-OH indole compounds based on a single urine specimen may give a false positive result. Collection of 24-hour urine specimens are advocated over collection of random urine specimens. Positive screening tests should be checked by a quantitative method.