Banana is among the most versatile fruits consumed as a nutrient-rich snack and energy staple because it is high in natural slow-release sugar. Bananas contain potassium, which is essential for maintaining blood pressure and strengthening bones. In addition, bananas contain anti-acids and are hence proven to have a significant role in maintaining gut health. Have you considered what happens when it starts hurting you instead of bringing calm to your stomach? You might be thinking, why do bananas make my stomach hurt?
So, this article will unveil all you need to know about bananas hurting your stomach, their reason, and remedies. So, let’s dive in.
The Nutritional Composition of Bananas
Bananas are nutrient-rich fruit and contain potassium, Vit C, Vit B6, phytonutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Nutrition facts about a medium-sized banana are as under.
- Calories: 90
- Carbs: 23 gm
- Water: 75%
- Sugar: 12 gm
- Protein: 1.2 gm
- Fiber: 2.6 gm
- Fat: 0.3 gm
In addition, these are also rich sources of potassium, Vit C, and Vit B6. An average banana provides 33% of the daily Vit B6 required by the body.
Positive Health Benefits
Following are the health benefits associated with bananas.
- Bananas promote heart health as they are rich in potassium. A medium banana contains 0.4 gm of potassium, which regulates normal blood pressure. Moreover, they contain flavonoids, antioxidants associated with decreasing the risk of heart disease.
- As bananas contain antioxidants, consuming them reduces the risk of irritation, inflammation, and swelling. Bananas are a preventive measure against chronic inflammatory illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
- Green bananas contain pectin and resistant starch, which act as prebiotic nutrients that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. These bacteria form butyrate, which promotes gut health.
Why Do Bananas Make My Stomach Hurt? Common Reasons
Bananas are rich in healthy nutrients and vitamins and provide various health benefits, but some individuals still question why do bananas make my stomach hurt. Many people experience upper stomach pain after eating a banana.
If you are among those who feel stomach ache from a banana and are looking for the reason for the query that appears in your mind, “Why do bananas upset my stomach.” There can be multiple reasons, as discussed below.
1- Dietary sensitivities
Bananas contain fructose which is a natural sugar. However, some people show sensitivity to fructose as they may be experiencing fructose intolerance. Moreover, bananas also contain high FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols), and some people have difficulty digesting it
If you have fructose intolerance or are sensitive to FODMAP and eat bananas, you may experience diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
2- Allergies
Some people who are allergic to latex also show sensitivity to bananas. Because banana proteins are similar to latex and hence lead to allergic reactions. Latex allergy symptoms include stomach discomfort, itching, swelling of lips and tongue, hives, etc.
3- Pre-existing digestive conditions
People who have pre-existing irritable bowel syndrome, when consuming bananas experience discomfort. IBS is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, and altered bowel habits.
Individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease may also experience heartburn and stomach discomfort after eating bananas. This is because of the naturally high pH level of bananas, which triggers the acid reflex. Gastroparesis patients also experience nausea and bloating due to the high-fiber content in bananas.
Potential Triggers for Stomach Pain
Certain substances in bananas, such as amylase enzyme, high fiber content, and compounds like tannins, trigger stomach pain. Let’s discuss them in detail.
1- High fiber content
Bananas are rich in high-fiber content, which assists digestion in most people. However, consuming excessive fiber quickly without allowing the stomach to digest the previous one leads to discomfort. Hence, people with sensitive digestive systems may experience abdominal cramps, bloating, and gas in such a situation.
2- Amylase Enzyme
Amylase enzyme breaks down complex sugar into simple ones and aids in the digestion of carbohydrates. However, some individuals find it challenging to digest amylase. Bananas contain amylase, so people who eat bananas experience an incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates, resulting in bloating and gas due to fermentation in the gut.
3- Tannins
Some people are intolerant to tannins in bananas. Tannins have an astringent taste and cause digestive problems in specific individuals. These digestive issues linked with tannin consumption include gastrointestinal discomfort.
This happens because tannins interfere with digestion by binding with proteins. Moreover, tannins stimulate gastric acid release into the stomach and hence cause problems for people already dealing with acid reflux.
4- Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol present in small amounts in bananas. Although, most of the consumers are tolerant of it. However, excessive banana eating can have a laxative effect and lead to stomach gas, discomfort, and diarrhea.
5- Level of ripeness
One of the reasons why bananas upset the stomach is their level of ripeness. Unripe bananas cause gas and boating in some people as they are difficult to digest because of resistant starch. Contrary to this, overripe bananas cause digestive distress because of their high sugar content, especially in individuals sensitive to fructose and high-sugar food.
Understanding Individual Sensitivities and Allergies
Some people have unique sensitivities to bananas that lead to severe reactions. Several components of bananas can trigger sensitivity or allergy in some individuals. However, not all sensitive people need to show sensitivity to all the components determined as allergens.
Moreover, the reactions to the allergens also vary from person to person. If someone shows sensitivity towards a banana because it is unripe, he may be expected when eating a fully ripe or over-ripe banana.
| Banana sensitivity/ Intolerance | Banana allergy |
| Banana intolerance is characterized by difficulty processing and digesting certain sugars, enzymes, or other components. | When a person with a banana allergy eats a banana, his immune system releases chemicals like histamine. |
| This results in bloating, stomach discomfort, and gas. Examples of banana sensitivity include intolerance to fructose or high FODMAP. | This results in allergic symptoms like swelling of lips and tongue, itching, hives, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. |
| Intolerance has nothing to do with the body’s immune system. | Banana allergy is linked to the immune system and responds to specific proteins in bananas. |
Diagnosis and Guidance
As has been discussed earlier that individual sensitivities vary. Hence, if you feel discomfort after eating a banana, getting a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional is essential. Understanding your sensitivity or allergy is vital because each case has different treatment options.
Self-diagnosis may appear as an easy way to manage your sensitivities and allergies. However, consulting a professional can help you understand underlying causes, triggers and get personalized dietary plans.
The professional may run a series of tests on you, do a physical examination, and check your detailed medical history for a perfect diagnosis. These tests may include blood and skin prick tests depending on the condition. After a detailed diagnosis, the healthcare professional can help you plan your dietary routine, suggest necessary medication, and alternate to bananas to ensure proper nutrition.
Managing Stomach Pain After Consuming Bananas
If you are looking for stomach pain after eating banana remedy, follow the tips and tricks below as they can help alleviate digestive issues.
- Prefer a fully ripe banana over an unripe one because the resistant starch in the unripe banana gets converted into simple sugar on ripping.
- Pair bananas with easily digestible food like yogurt or oatmeal; these can help mitigate stomach discomfort.
- Try cooking or baking an unripe banana before consuming it. Cooking breaks down complex carbohydrates and makes them easy to digest.
- Consume small portions of banana at a time to allow it to digest easily.
- If banana leads to severe problems, quit it and look for alternative food to compensate for the nutrients. Moreover, seek medical help to get personalized advice.
Bottom Line
This article discusses why bananas make the stomach hurt despite their nutritional benefits. Moreover, different allergies and sensitivities caused by bananas have been discussed. It is imperative to identify and differentiate if the problem is caused by intolerance or allergy because the treatment in each case is different from the other.
The allergies and sensitivities caused by bananas vary from person to person. You can see several tips that can help you alleviate the symptoms of stomach discomfort. It emphasizes the importance of seeking professional advice in case of severe stomach problems.
FAQs about Why Do Bananas Make My Stomach Hurt
When you eat a banana when it is not fully ripe, it causes acid reflux. Moreover, eating a banana on an empty stomach also causes acidity.
Consuming 1-2 bananas in a day is considered a moderate quantity. However, if you are engaged in physical activity, you can take 3.
The best time to consume bananas is in the morning, paired with breakfast. However, eating a banana on an empty stomach is severely prohibited due to its high pH.
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