Can Bananas Cause Heartburn After Eating Them?

Heartburn is uncomfortable. Most people think the only reason behind heartburn can be an unhealthy diet. But do you know even though you follow a healthy diet plan, heartburn can strike often? It may be surprising for you but some healthy fruits like bananas can cause heartburn. If you are a banana lover, you must be thinking, how can bananas cause heartburn after eating them? 

You might not experience anything like that before but it can cause acid reflux in some people. 

So, just keep reading to figure out how bananas cause heartburn and how you can get relief from it. 

What is heartburn 

Despite its name, Heartburn is not related to your heart. Basically, it causes a burning sensation in the esophagus. It is a tube that connects your throat and stomach. When stomach acid comes upward to the throat it can cause heartburn.

You may sense a bitter taste in your mouth or throat. Heartburn sensations may worsen right after eating or when you’re resting down. However, there is nothing to worry about. You can use some home remedies to get relief from this irritation. 

Acid reflux from eating a banana 

Highly acidic food can cause heartburn. Though banana does not contain a high amount of acid, overeating of banana can cause acid reflux. Bananas are rich in fiber and potassium. Bananas contain pH5 which makes them slightly acidic fruit. Especially if you consume it on an empty stomach or have it in an excessive amount it can induce acid reflux. 

Can bananas cause heartburn after eating them during pregnancy

Heartburn is common during pregnancy. You need to keep an eye on your diet to reduce the health issue. Because some foods trigger heartburn. You need to avoid foods like chocolate, caffeine, and fast food. Then how about bananas? There is no doubt banana is full of nutrients. But studies show that green banana is rich in resistant starch which leads to heartburn. You might be assuming what is resistant starch. It is a kind of indigestible carbohydrate which promotes intestinal fermentation. Unripe fruits like green bananas contain a significant amount of this carbohydrate naturally.

According to the Digestive Health institute, Foods high in resistant starch induce heartburn during pregnancy. On the other hand, ripe bananas contain a minimal amount of resistant starch which will not cause bloating. 

How to get rid of heartburn caused by banana 

The pH range of bananas is 5-5.29. The lower the pH level of food, the more acidic it becomes. So, in that case, the banana is slightly acidic. If you feel heartburn after eating a banana, just drink plenty of water. It will dilute the stomach acid and reduce the irritation in the chest. To avoid heartburn you need to reduce the amount of banana intake. You also need to avoid highly acidic fruits like oranges, and pineapples. It will help you to lessen the severity of heartburn.

How to get enough potassium when a banana giving you grief

As you already know bananas contain high amounts of potassium which help to function your body’s muscles well. If you tend to have a high-sodium diet, potassium helps to reduce the chance of high blood pressure. The more potassium you consume the more your kidney excrete extra sodium through urine. 

One average size banana contains 477 mg of potassium. But it is not the only food that is served with potassium. If you are allergic to There are so many options available to ensure sufficient potassium in your body. Here are some foods you can try instead of bananas which are loaded with potassium. 

• Avocado 

Avocado is loaded with potassium, healthy fat, vitamin K, and folate. Only half of an avocado contains 345 mg of potassium. So, if you have a full avocado you can fulfill 15% potassium of your daily needs. It can be a good alternative to bananas for people who are suffering from high blood pressure. 

• Sweet potatoes 

Sweet potatoes are a good source of potassium. They also contain Vitamin A, complex carbs, and fiber. Only one sweet potato is rich in 700 mg of potassium. It is almost 15 percent of recommended daily consumption. So, It can be a good choice instead of bananas.

• Spinach 

Spinach is one of the nutritious veggies. 3 cups of spinach provide about 11% of the daily value of potassium. This leafy vegetable also contains a good amount of magnesium, iron, fiber, and vitamin C. 

• Raisins 

You may have raisins with salad, sweet dishes, or as a snack. If you are not aware of the benefits of raisins, let me tell you that this add-on ingredient has many nutritious values. Half cup of raisins 615 mg of potassium. But it also contains plenty of sugar. So, you need to be careful if you have a diabetes issue. 

What is the best time to eat bananas? 

The first meal of the day is the best time to eat bananas. You can add it to your breakfast with other meals. But you must not have it on an empty stomach. You can add some banana slices to your oatmeal or cereal. You can also have a banana pancake which can be an ideal option for breakfast.

Bananas are packed with many nutritious values. It takes time to digest. So, try to skip it as a dinner or after having dinner.

Why do bananas cause heartburn after eating?

Bananas contain a high amount of potassium which makes the digestive system work slowly. That’s why the stomach produces more gastric acid to digest. As a result, it can cause heartburn after eating a banana. Unripe bananas are more acidic than ripe ones. So, there’s more chance of heartburn if you have unripe bananas.

Can ripe bananas cause heartburn? 

No. Ripe bananas have alkaline properties. It is considered safe for stomach acid. This food is balanced with stomach acid. So, it works as a remedy for acid reflux.

Can unripe bananas cause heartburn?  

Yes. It can. As unripe bananas have lower pH levels it makes them more acidic than yellow ones. If you have excessive green bananas it can induce heartburn. Especially if you eat it on an empty stomach, it can result in heartburn. 

When Should you stop taking bananas? 

There is no doubt that bananas are a full package of nutrition. But you need to understand the fact that every human body is different. So, you need to stop taking bananas if your body is not accepting them and showing some side effects.

• If your blood sugar remains high, you should control the quantity of banana intake. Because bananas contain fructose which can be responsible for your high blood sugar. 
• Bananas loaded with potassium. So, it can cause hyperkalemia. You must be curious to know what it is. It’s a condition when the potassium level of your body is higher than normal. As a result, nausea, chest pain, and shortness of breath could be noticed. 
• People who are suffering from advanced kidney disease should limit their banana intake. Because high levels of potassium can be responsible for kidney failure.

• As bananas contain a lot of fiber, excessive banana consumption can cause acid reflux, bloating, and gas in the stomach. 

• If you have a latex allergy you must avoid bananas. Because it can cause redness, swelling, shortness of breath, or any other side effects. 

Bananas cause heartburn Reddit FAQ

Conclusion

Bananas are nutritious and delicious snack food. Most people love to keep it in their breakfast meal which is a healthy habit. But try to have ripe bananas rather than unripe ones and keep banana intake limits short if you are having heartburn with this. 

I hope I’ve cleared your confusion about “Can Bananas cause heartburn after having them”.If you like my blog then keep supporting me with your nice words. Thanks for reading. 

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