The Department of Health has denied claims that eating bananas can protect you from the coronavirus disease pandemic.
Health spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said there is no science to back this up.
“Ang saging, sinasabi nila it can help prevent COVID-19. Wala pang ebidensya, wala pang masusing pag-aaral na makapagbibibgay ng hard science o ebidensya para sabihin na bananas will prevent the transmission of COVID-19 or prevent a person from having COVID-19,” the health official said in a media briefing.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that he believes bananas could help fight COVID-19.
“I read a few things about how to destroy or contain the virus,” Panelo said during a media briefing.
“You know, even without me knowing it, I’ve been fond of bananas. Then I saw on the internet that bananas are a good way to fight [viruses]. So here I am, eating bananas every day,” he said on Monday.
Vergeire, on the other hand, said that while bananas have health benefits, there is no guarantee that it can protect you from the virus.
“Ang saging ay mabuti sa katawan, so hindi naman ipagbabawal na kainin nila. Huwag lang nila iisipin na hindi sila magkakaroon ng sakit na ito dahil kumain sila ng saging,” she added.
