Bananas Side Effects and Health Risks You Must Know
Bananas are very delicious and healthy for the body. It is one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world. It is filled with nutrients and can protect you from many physiological and psychological problems. But bananas may have some side effects as well.
Side Effects of Bananas are:
Abdominal pain:
If you eat bananas that are not ripe enough, then you may experience stomach pain. It can also cause nausea along with abdominal pain. This is because unripe bananas contain high amounts of resistant starch. This takes a long time to digest. You may also experience immediate vomiting or diarrhoea.
Anaphylactic shock:
Some people allergic to bananas may face a serious immune response with a sudden drop in blood pressure. The blood oxygen levels are inhibited from rising because of their respiratory troubles. This can cause shock. Symptoms of this condition include increased or reduced pulse rate, light-headedness, and faintness. According to a study done by the Journal of Medical Case Reports, it is shown that such extreme cases of bananas can be seen even in infants. So, it says that when you introduce infants to solid foods, you should be very careful and consider banana as a potential allergen.
Constipation:
Bananas can cause constipation as well. It is always believed that bananas are good for proper bowel movements. This is true in case of ripe bananas. But unripe or green bananas contain resistant starch in high amounts. This can lead to constipation when taken in excess. They contain high amounts if tannic acid that can inhibit the functioning of digestive tract. Tannic acid affects the secretion of the gastrointestinal fluid and curbs gastrointestinal mobility. But a ripe banana can help in preventing constipation.
Drowsiness:
Most of us like to have bananas for our breakfast. We think it is healthy. But bananas can make you feel drowsy. This is because they are rich in tryptophan, which is an amino acid that can reduce your mental performance and make you feel sleepy. Bananas are also rich in magnesium, which causes muscle relaxation. These properties of bananas can make it a good snack before bedtime.
Gas:
Consuming bananas can also cause gas. This is because they contain fibre and fructose in good amounts. When you suddenly increase your intake of fibre or consume fibre in large amounts, your intestine will take a long time to break down the fibre. This leads to the formation of gas. Similarly, when you take-in fructose in large amounts, your body finds it difficult to digest.
Hypersensitivity in patients allergic to latex:
According to studies made, it was found that people who are sensitive to latex may display hypersensitivity to bananas as well. Symptoms of this condition are wheezing, runny nose, coughing, watery eyes, itchy nose etc.
Hyperkalemia:
Hyperkalemia is a condition caused when there is excess of potassium in the blood. Symptoms are uneven pulse rate, nausea, as well as irregular heartbeat that can even lead to heart attack. It is said that a dosage of potassium greater than 18 gm can cause hyperkalemia in adults. There are some diet plans that recommend excess intake of bananas on certain days. By following such a diet you may land in to trouble.
Migraine:
If you suffer from frequent migraine attacks, then you should avoid consuming bananas daily. This is because of the presence of tyramine, a substance found in bananas. It can trigger migraine headache. Banana peels contain almost ten times more tyramine than the pulp. So be careful and remove the peel completely before you consume it.
Nerve damage:
Vitamin B6 is found in high amounts in bananas. If this vitamin is taken in excess, it can cause nerve damage. If you consume more than 100 mg of Vitamin B6, it can cause nerve damage. However this possibility is very rare unless you are a bodybuilder and have an obsession for eating bananas.
Ragweed allergy:
This is a condition in which your immune system reacts when you inhale ragweed pollen grains. Symptoms of this allergy are swollen lips, irritated throat, swollen tongue and so on. If people suffering from ragweed allergy consume bananas, they may experience the same symptoms.
Respiratory problems:
Another problem faced by eating bananas in excess is inflammation. It can constrict airways and cause various respiratory problems. You may have extreme difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
Risk of type 2 diabetes:
Bananas come in the medium-level of glycemic food category. So, eating bananas can cause an increase in the blood sugar levels. So make sure that you consume only limited number of bananas every day.
Tooth decay:
Bananas contain high amounts of starch. this can lead to tooth decay if you do not maintain proper dental hygiene. Some studies say that bananas can be more dangerous to your oral health than chocolates and chewing gum. This is because starches dissolve slowly in the mouth whereas sugars dissolve quickly. So, wash your mouth well after eating banana.
Weight gain:
Bananas have lesser calories than the chocolates or crisps. But they still have enough calories to make you put on weight. So, make sure about the number of bananas you consume. A medium sized banana contains 105 calories. So if you are looking for low calorie snacks that you can have every few hours, then banana is not the right choice.
Caution to Follow:
- If your kidney is not functioning properly, limit the intake of bananas. Too much potassium can cause strain on your kidneys
- Bananas get spoiled easily as they are stored at room temperature. So, eat them within two days. Make sure that you do not eat under-ripe bananas.
- If you are allergic to bananas and experience wheezing, cramping, throat irritation etc, avoid eating them.
- If you want to increase your intake of bananas, consult your doctor so that you know how much you can increase.