Why do bananas give me heartburn?

Bananas generally do not cause acid reflux. However, bananas can cause heartburn if your stomach is sensitive to acids and trigger foods. In this article we will explore why do bananas give me heart burn? 

What is the banana?

Nutritional value of banana:

Bananas are elongated, edible fruits produced by several species of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. Bananas used for cooking are sometimes called “plantains” to distinguish them from dessert bananas.

Bananas are nutrient-rich, tasty fruit. Besides being inexpensive, it can be eaten any time of the day as a snack. In addition to being nutritious, they’re also rich in a variety of plant compounds that keep you healthy. The nutrition facts for a medium banana (100 grams) are as follows: 

• Calories: 89
• Carbs: 22.8 grams
• Protein: 1.1 grams
• Fat: 0.3 grams
• Sugar: 12.2 grams
• Fiber: 2.6 grams
• Water: 75%

Why do bananas give me heartburn: are bananas healthy?

Bananas are too much nutritious and healthy. The following figure describes some of the health benefits of bananas:

Why do bananas give me heartburn: are they acidic?

Bananas don’t have any acidity by themselves. Their pH level ranges from 4.50 to 5.29.  The banana is generally considered to be alkaline in nature rather than acidic.

Do you know strawberries are also acidic? Read more.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn refers to an uncomfortable, burning sensation behind the breastbone of your chest.  After eating, at night, when lying down, or when bending over, the pain often becomes worse. This is a common condition without cause for alarm.

The link between acid reflux and heartburn:

An acid reflux symptom is a heartburn. In other words, one leads to the other. Hence, heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux.

How do bananas cause heartburn?

Bananas generally do not cause acid reflux. However, bananas can cause heartburn if your stomach is sensitive to acids and trigger foods.  The PH of ripe bananas is 5, making them acidic food to consume. Bananas contain various nutrients that provide a number of health benefits, according to research. However, eating too many bananas, especially raw ones, is not healthy. 

The consumption of raw bananas can cause heartburn, and if you already suffer from heartburn, it can develop more acutely. Bananas’ PH scale indicates that they are alkaline and not acidic.  By lowering the PH level of the stomach, it alleviates abdominal pain and heartburn. If we consume a raw banana, our stomach’s acid level is thrown out of balance. You should avoid green bananas if you suffer from acid reflux symptoms and maybe even consume ripe bananas in small quantities if you’re at risk.

Why do banana chips give me heartburn?

Chips made from dried bananas are called banana chips. Compared with fresh bananas, they are much higher in calories and much lower in essential nutrients. Frying and converting bananas into chips is like making them acidic instead of alkaline due to which they can cause heartburn.

If you are prone to acid reflux symptoms, such as heartburn, you might want to avoid banana chips, especially in large quantities.

However, banana chips are definitely healthier than potato chips if you enjoy snacking between meals.

Even though they do not contain all the vitamins and minerals in bananas, eating them can still be beneficial as compared to potato chips and other chips.

How to reduce Heartburn After eating bananas?

Regular nutrition is essential for reducing heartburn after banana consumption. In order to stop heartburn, we need to regulate the stomach’s acidity. Following are some options that are best to treat heartburn: 

• Drink Milk:

Milk has a higher PH level than neutral. Milk is an effective remedy for heartburn and stomach burning. You can regulate stomach acids by drinking a glass of milk. Make sure the milk is not too hot. Let the milk cool in the open air after it has been boiled. 

• Consume Coconut Water:

If a person has lactose intolerance and cannot consume dairy products, coconut water would be the next best option. Coconut water is not available everywhere, but if you are lucky enough to find it, coconut water can relieve heartburn after consuming bananas. 

• Eat juicy Fruits:

For those who do not have access to milk and coconut water, eating juicy fruits like apples will help. Apples are extremely nutritious and also maintain acidity levels. The consumption of an apple will help stabilize the burning a lot. 

Heartburn that is too severe may not be relieved by these natural fruits. Seeking medical attention is a wise decision. Tell your doctor everything that is going on in your body so he can give you the right medication to stop heartburn. Always consult your physician before taking any medication. 

Your doctor can better provide you with a better advice. We also offer free consultation. Book your appointment today.

Final Words

It is a common saying that “too much of anything can be dangerous.” This also applies to bananas. However, bananas are one of the safest and healthiest fruits to consume in small quantities. In high doses, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and an increased potassium level as well as heartburn, a common side effect. Regular nutrition is essential for reducing heartburn after banana consumption. In order to stop heartburn, we need to regulate the stomach’s acidity. Some options that are best to treat heartburn after banana consumption are drinking milk, Consuming coconut water and eating juicy fruits.

Fatima Sarmad

I lead a team of professional nutritionists and dietitians. We provide our consulting services in different areas of nutrition.