India, Dec. 12 -- Most adults in the US fall short on both fruit and fiber. Only a small share, roughly 12 per cent, meet daily recommendations, which is why the apple-versus-banana question comes up often. If someone is trying to boost fiber, which one actually delivers more? The choice is not complicated, but the details matter.

The two fruits differ in size and density, so comparisons rely on standard serving references. According to the USDA, a customary 140-gram apple provides roughly 91 calories, close to 21.8 grams of carbohydrates, and just 2.94 grams of fiber.

A medium banana, about 115 grams, comes in at 113 calories, around 26.4 grams of carbohydrates, and close to 1.96 grams of fiber.

Those small differences shape how each ...