Kevin D. Hendricks

By JL! on Apr 1, 2004

Whoa! I’ve never heard of a banana allergy before. I guess it’s possible to be allergic to almost anything though. That’s no fun at all, man. I’m sorry to hear it.

This may not be much of a surprise, but I had something similar happen at Taco Bell. Now, I know their food is extremely low grade, but sometime last year I went there, and got sick later that day. Didn’t think anything of it. Then it happened again. Thought nothing of it. And a third time. And a fourth time. When it happened the fourth time, I started to think, “Hmmm… I think there might be a connection here…” but my brain is a bit thick, so I decided to go back again and test it.

That was the fifth and last time I got sick from Taco Bell.

By Sonya on May 12, 2004

I am so happy to have found your posting. I too am a sufferer of banana-related stomachaches. I do not have a weak stomach and it is rarely upset, but whenever I eat a banana or have (like in your case) a smoothie with banana in it, I get very yucky stomach pain. I have been trying to research what it might be about the banana that gives me this discomfort. This is obviously a food allergy. It seems strange to be allergic to bananas – wait, I just realized my “allergy” also started around the time yours did – I was 21. Now I am 27. So, I know this is probably of very little help. I just felt good knowing there was someone else in the world who had a similar reaction to le banana. WEIRD!

By Seth on Jun 23, 2004

Ok so I had the same problem but it has all started the past 3 months and i have isolated it to banana’s – like you, no probs with banana bread , banana ice cream, etc but with banana’s in the morning (or in a smoothie) – I felt like i got kicked in the stomach…so i think i will be laying off of them for a bit until i talk to my Doc – but theres gotta be some sort of name for this!

By Erin on Jun 25, 2004

I was just searching for banana related stomachaches. What’s up with that?! All I can find is that they are supposed to soothe the stomach. WHATEVER. I feel like I’m going to hurl. I’m 26 and it all started about 4 months ago. If any of you find out anything about this please let me know.

By Eric on Oct 12, 2004

I have also suffered from what you have described. It has since broadened to other items, such as peanuts and other high natural fat foods. I visited a Gastroenterologist, and his first guess is a gallbladder problem. I am heading in to get some tests done to see if I may have gallstones. The gallbladder holds bile produced by the liver. Bile is used by the digestive system to help digest fats. It sounds strange to me as I have no problem with other fatty foods in the past.

By Laina on Oct 13, 2004

My mom is suffering from banana allergies. She gets severe leg and foot cramps a few hours after eating a banana, but no stomach ache. Everything online claims a banana will help cramps-definitely not true. Has anyone heard of anything that could cause such symptoms?

By Devin on Feb 10, 2005

For the past few days I’ve had the same problem too – I used to eat bananas all the time w/no prob- here’s the funny thing – I’m 21 too!

By sandi on Feb 13, 2005

I can throw out the age theory. Over 55 and all of a sudden cannot eat a banana without severe stomach pain and my face getting very very flushed. No temp. Used to love them cut up in cheerios. No more.Does anyone know if there may be a potassium imbalance problem in some folks?? I’m not allergic to latex which in some banana allergy senarios plays a part.???

By kris on Feb 15, 2005

Yep, yesterday had a smoothie with bananas and almost immediately had this stabbing feeling in my upper abdominal area. I felt nauseated from the pain, but no typical GI problems associated with food poisoning. I love bananas, but haven’t had any for awhile. I get this pain from raw bananas every now and then but it is not consistent. I wonder if it is related to the overconsumption of fats (and the hormones that are involved in digestion, like CCK, ghrelin, etc.) but then I would have a problem with french fries! I think the potassium in bananas is what helps leg cramps, but could it cause this pain? Is it possible this is just painful gas trapped between the splenic curves? And painkillers and antacids don’t help me, just time.

By RaeAnne on Feb 28, 2005

I have a 4 year old, that for some time has been outlawed from bananas. I feel bad for her because she love them. As far as I know, there’s no pain , but the attitude changes turn her from a sweet precosious little girl, to a demon! So bad in fact I was wondering if she should see a shrink at 2!

She acts out, screams, strikes out, and absolutely refuses to listen. I’ve actually had to use a care hold on her to get her to slow down, breath, and listen. Then she fights you with all her little might until she tires. Then you can talk to her. It’s Horrible, and all because of bananas.

Since forbidding anything banana in my house (no juices/fruits/candies), she’s done so much better. We have brief reacurrences when someone forgets, and then we go thru hell for about 3 days, until it’s out of her system.

Today, I just heard from my husband’s Aunt……after almost 5 years and trying to figure out what the heck was going on…my dear wonderful husband was forbidden bananas from the time he was in diapers. He became violent on them. NOW she tells me! :X Anyone else heard of tempremental changes from bananas? It’s a new one on me!

By Patrick on Mar 4, 2005

I also get quite irritable and a bit aggressive when I eat bananas. I stay away from them. I discovered this a few months ago after starting a gluten-free casein-free diet because I am intolerant of these.

By amy on Mar 6, 2005

Just wanted to add- I have severe stomach pain after eating a banana. It seems to just come from raw banana; cooked (as in Banana Bread) never bothers me. And it’s completely random too- it doesn’t _always_ bother me, but when it does it’s excrutiating. And there’s almost NO information about it anywhere in the Internet. I was starting to think I was the only one with this problem until I found this website!

The weirdest part is that it started when I was about 21 also.

By Ginger on Mar 10, 2005

I was doing a search for banana allergies. I ate bananas all throughout my childhood — loved ‘em! In my early twenties, I started having violent abdominal cramping after eating bananas — I mean really violent, gutwrenchingly so. I can still eat banana bread too, so I’m willing to bet baking the bananas destroys or breaks down whatever it is that causes the reaction. I’ve tentatively tried to eat a bite of banana every five or so years with the same reaction. I’m in my late 40s now, so I don’t think it’ll ever go away.

I still love the way bananas smell.

I’m relieved to know I’m not alone in this weird food allergy. I’m also allergic to grapefruit but in the huge hives, difficulty breathing way.

By Awan on Mar 14, 2005

All I can say is ME TOO!!! 2 years a go (@age 22) I was perfectly normal. I used to eat a banana every day. Then suddenly one day I get this really sever stomachache and start feeling nauseous. It took me about 7 days to finally realize it was the bananas. I think I’ll ask my doctor to transfer me to a GI (just like Kris did). I’ll let you know if I get some answers :).

Adios

By Nan on Mar 17, 2005

You know, this might sound like a funny question, but I wonder what else you all have in common besides the banana thing … like for example, alcoholism or some particular type of cancer in the family … something like that?

By Puba on Mar 21, 2005

Maybe this is it?? See below quote:

Ever notice how some bananas don’t ripen, but just go from green to rotten, with large black areas as though they had been bruised? This is from “gas-ripened” bananas. After shipping, the green bananas are put into a room and sprayed with ethylene gas, which artificially ripens them just before going to the market. Here’s how you tell the difference: naturally ripening bananas will have many small dark spots on the skin as they ripen, and won’t turn immediately rotten. Gassing is legal at this time, but is usually the cause of allergic response in someone who thinks he’s allergic to bananas. (Randolph)

By Gwen on Mar 22, 2005

My problem started at 16 and since then I can’t eat most fruit and certain vegetables. My mother had exactly the same problem so it must be something hereditary. I’ve had a test for gallbladder problems as well as allergy tests – the first came up negative, the second a moderate allergy. But this still doesn’t explain why cooking stops the pain. Does anyone else find that pressing hard on the pain alleviates it? I too find pain killers don’t work but if I tie a belt really tightly around my waist it seems to help.

By Riley on Mar 27, 2005

If you get a stomach ache after you eat something and everytime you eat it you get a stomach ache does that mean your allergic do it?

By Ser on Apr 1, 2005

Hello. I have the same problem with bananas. I didn’t eat bananas for years, but then I tried eating an enzyme tablet called Beano with my bananas. It helps tremendously! There is no pain at all. I also have this pain with peppers, mushrooms, and raw broccoli.

By Debbie on Apr 14, 2005

I evidently also have banana allergies, but I’m also sensitive to latex, so my story may be slightly different. Whenever I eat raw bananas, I get stomach cramps as well as the unpleasant accompanying related “problems”, but I also experience pain, swelling, and sensitivity in my mouth and throat!! Does anybody else suffer from these symptoms?

By mel on Apr 17, 2005

I have the same problem. I will be 21 in 2 months and recently my stomach has been hurting so bad that I have to take muscle relaxers after eating bananas. Its not a normal stomach ache but feels more like cramping.. I dont think it has anything to do with having a gallbladder or not because mine was removed years ago.

By Debbie on Apr 18, 2005

Well, I also had my gall bladder out many years ago, so there probably isn’t a DIRECT connnection there, although I supposed it’s possible that if one has already been having gall bladder difficulties too, then this might cause additional problems.

By Ser on Apr 18, 2005

I forgot to mention that avocado seems to cause the very same stomachache affect as bananas do for me. I am still trying to find out why. I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem with avocado?

By Ser on Apr 18, 2005

In response to your question, Riley, it may or may not mean that you have an allergic reaction. Which foods are bothering you?

By perin on Apr 20, 2005

crazy. i found out recently that i’m allergic to bananas, but my problem is a lot different. i get itching and swelling in my mouth, and if the banana is at all liquified i get wheezy. it’s VERY weird.

By kim milligan on Apr 24, 2005

So crazy–I totally cn relate to your posts. Severe cramps and sweating when I eat bananas or canteloupe. Used to eat tons of them as a kid. As a runner, I’d LOVE to be able to eat these things. I have had this problem for a while–I am 32. It stinks!!!

By Ellen Henry on Apr 27, 2005

I just had this happen to me this morning. My stomach is killing me from eating a banana. Now that I think of it, it has happened before every time and I burp too. Yuck. I like bananas on the greener side. Do you think that may have something to do with it? Are you guys eating really ripe bananas or bananas with some green on the stem. I feel sick, my stomach is kind of crampy.

By Janie on Apr 27, 2005

I have never been able to eat anything with bananas in it without getting bad stomach pains. The other “food” that always affects me with the same identical pain is Pepsi – not Coke though. Also raw broccoli. I do have ulcerative colitis, but it is in remission and has different symptoms. I wonder if the potassium is part of the problem. My sensitivity has been all my life for the bananas and Pepsi.

By Ser on Apr 28, 2005

Hmm…well at least its good to know that other people suffer the same problem. We just need to find out what it is. Yes the broccoli and bananas, hmm must have some same chemical composition in them. Strange about the pepsi though, I wonder what ingredient is causing that? And, as I said, the enzyme tablet,’Beano’ has worked for me with bananas. I know its for gas, but it works for this stomach-ache problem. Just chew one pill with the first bite. NO PAIN.!!! :) It is available in grocery stores and drug stores. Worth a try.

By CB on Apr 28, 2005

I get the same thing! Terrible stomach pains when I eat bananas, and avocados cause it too! What’s up with that?!?!

By Katie on May 2, 2005

Ya… I am definitely experiencing a stomach ache/cramping right now that started about 10-15 minutes after I ate a banana at lunch today. I’ve noticed it happens usually when I eat bananas, but not all the time. And definitely not in banana bread or anything. It is definitely weird.

By Janie on May 7, 2005

Thanks for mentioning the avocados. It just turned on a “light bulb” for me. Eating at a Mexican restaurant has bothered me several times with it seeming not to matter what I order. I bet it is the guacamole!! Thanks! Janie

By Jennifer on May 9, 2005

Was searching the Internet for an answer to this problem. I’m 38 now but began having this weird response to raw bananas at about 24 or 25… stomach pains (lower abdominal mostly) and cramping. When I cut out the bananas, the pain stopped. I eat a banana every so often and it doesn’t always bother me but lately, since my mid-30s, when I do have a reaction, I now get almost flu-like body aches and chills along with the stomach cramping and nausea. Just happened to me last night (after eating a banana), went away, and came back again this evening (again after eating a banana cut up in some milk with a little sugar… I grew up eating this as a kid!). The only common thread I’ve been able to think of is the banana. Has anyone gotten a truly definitive, medical opinion on this? I’m going to try the Beano suggestion… otherwise it looks like I’m off the bananas for good.

By Ser on May 13, 2005

In response to an earlier post about the ethylene gas sprayed on bananas to help them ripen:

Well, I tried buying organic bananas. I don’t think they have the ethylene gas sprayed on them. I did not feel sick at all after which was great. Maybe that gas could indeed the culprit of the allergic response of feeling ill. Thank you so much.

By Mike on Jun 17, 2005

Hello, i too suffer from the banana allergy.
Even just a very small slice causes me to have an intense stomach pain 15-20 mins later. Also i noticed fresh kiwi fruit causes the same pain. The pain goes away usually 20 mins after the pain starts, and thats only with a small slice. My suggestion is to stay away from the fresh fruit that your not used to eating.

By Jaime on Jun 27, 2005

In the past two weeks, I also have had an issue with eating avocados and bananas. I didn’t realize until I had horrible burning pain in my lower abdomen and uncomfortable bloating on three separate occasions. One thing that seemed to work to rid the pain was taking a 1/2 tsp of baking soda with about half a glass of water (mixed together). About an hour later I would begin to feel better. I have a latex allergy but it is a skin irritation and I don’t think it has much to do with this. I am curious if avocados and bananas are being sprayed with the gas that was mentioned before and if there are other things that are being sprayed. I have yet to try the beano and organic routes as this is new to me. I’m only 27 but as others have said I am not sure if it really has to do with age. Going to the doctor today to find out what I can.

By patti on Jun 27, 2005

Ugh–I get the worst stomach aches when i eat avocado. I realized the connection cause I only get it after I eat mexican, or sushi, so it must be the avocado in the sushi rolls and the guacamole. (I don’t have this problem when I eat sushi without the avocado in it). I’ve never really tested the banana thing out, as I don’t like how they taste.

By Jaime on Jun 27, 2005

Well, I ended up not going to the Doctor as I found information linking the allergy to banana, avocado as well as kiwi fruit and papaya all to my latex allergy. Problem solved, however annoying as it may be.
Good luck to all. If you have a latex allergy then you now know why bananas and avocados are troublesome. If you do not have a latex allergy, then I don’t know what to tell you. However, my latex allergy was very mild for a long time and has only recently become more of an issue…along with this most recent problem with bananas and avocados. You might want to keep your eyes open to a latex allergy.

By Joi on Jun 29, 2005

So happy to know I’m not the only one suffering out there with this condition. Couldn’t find anything on the internet in relation to what I was suffering.

I not only get intense stomach pain after eating bananas, but also from apples, grapes, blueberries, and sometimes from watermelon. I don’t get this reaction with cooked fruit or fruit juices. I’ll try the earlier suggestion regarding Beano as well as the organic fruits. This all seemed to start while pregnant with my first child at the age of 28. Before that I’d eat all types of fruit without any problems whatsoever. Now the list is dwindling.

I’m curious to know what type of reaction do those of you get who are allergic to Latex?

Is there anyone out there who breaks out with itchy hives after eating foods pumped up with high fructose corn syrup?

By Jaime on Jun 30, 2005

Joi, in regards to your question about the reaction latex allergy suffers get I can only answer for my particular situation. I get horrible skin rashes that will weep and/or bleed, it’s similar to a chemical burn or poison oak. Luckily I am not one to have trouble breathing or anything.
There is a site that I found that lists types of foods that may affect people with latex allergy.
http://www.latexallergyresources.org/Product_lists/food_list.cfm
This will give you an idea of what foods to be aware of if you have a latex allergy.

By Sarah on Jul 5, 2005

I know someone who is allergic to bananas. Your allergy may be caused by the sudden eating of a lot of bananas. Like some babys after beeing nursed drink milk then later on in their life they may become allergic.

By Matt on Jul 10, 2005

I’m glad that I found this site through Google. Information on banana allergies is surprisingly lacking. Growing up my mother told me that when she reached her early 20s, she couldn’t eat bananas or else she would get terrible stomach cramps.

Sure enough, I’m 22 and the same thing is happening to me. The first time was a few months ago. I was in agony from 4pm until midnight. The next few days my intestines felt bloated and sore. Horrrible, I know, but I just want to provide detail for anyone else not sure about whether they have the same problem.

I didn’t link bananas to the problem until today (I’m having another bout with it) since I’m also gluten-intolerant. I figured that was the problem, but I know for sure that I didn’t eat any gluten in the past 24 hours.

By Mich on Jul 18, 2005

Have people considered the fact that digestive ability is supposed to decrease as one ages?

I don’t know how solid the data are, but http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112205/interesting_facts.htm suggests that “70-year-olds may produce as little as half the enzymes they produced when they were 20″ and “By age 50, many people will produce only 15% of the HCL(digestive acid) they released at age 25″.

Obviously kids can sometimes get away with eating all sorts of things, but it may catch up with them as they get older. On top of this would be allergies specific to each individual.

By Jason on Jul 20, 2005

I read a web page about bananas and everything was good. I started having a banana a day and it helped me with a problem I was having. I kept eating bananas for a couple weeks with no problems.

Lately, every time I have one I get a stomach ache for about an hour and it goes away. Glad to see all these posts. Might have to explore other options.

By bobr on Jul 24, 2005

I have always been able to eat bananas without any problems but just lately I get a stomach unwell feeling not long after eating one. I stopped eating them and have been okay. Yesterday I tried one and that unwell feeling came over again. Lasts for a few days.
I have noticed lately how our bananas go generally darkish all over without the usual overipe markings etc so it does point to the gassing of the bananas that is causing problems with people. That was very clever of that person on here to realise and point out to us about the gassing and I thank him for it.

By Ange on Jul 25, 2005

I’m 19 and for the past few months, so technically, this started when I was 18, I’ve been getting stomach pains after eating breakfast and sometimes in the afternoon. It took me until two mornings ago to realise it was bananas. I can’t believe this affects so many people. Maybe we should all get together and start a support group or something! Hehe…

By jihan on Jul 25, 2005

I have been getting stomach pain after eating bananas for years now. I also have had issues with apples, kiwi, and tomatoes, though of a different ilk. Honestly, I’m amazed to read that so many people have this banana issue! I have noticed that banana stabs are always worse in the morning and/or on an empty stomach. Also, cooked apples and banunus aren’t bothersome, as seems to be the case with many of you. This leads me to believe that the issue may have something to do with an enzyme that is only present in the raw. One thing that I have found enables me to eat my bananas is to eat them JUST past the green stage. I buy organic (aside from obvious benefits, the tape wrapper on the stem of org. b-bunches helps them stay green for a lot longer)and then eat what I can before they fully ripen. If I’m not going to get through them, I just freeze them, unpeeled, in a small stainless steel pot and then use them for frozen treats.

By Yenzi on Jul 27, 2005

I’m fairly sure with me it’s the ethylene gas, I am 99.9% positive. Other fruits that naturally give off high levels of ethylene gas also give me stomach cramps – such as cantaloup. All the pieces fit together now!

The internet is great :-)

By JB on Jul 28, 2005

Going Bananas! Yes the bananas seem to be a problems, and I too have had a similar episode with Avocado now too. This Going Bananas symdrome that I”m now going to coin seems to spring up in early adult hood. And why? I have no other allergies. My sister and I both have the same symptoms as everyone else here, the intense stomach pains… However, I have found that I can still eat my bananas if I down it with a large class of milk or put it in a smoothly with orange juice, other fuits, and yogart. It would be interested to have a study conducted on this Going Bananas symdrome, as there are lots of subjects with the condition. It might be linked to the bodies response to Potassium, as I have experienced a similar situation with Gadorade and not Power Aid. Which both vary in sodium and potassium content. The search continues!

By JB on Jul 28, 2005

Going Bananas! Yes the bananas seem to be a problem, and I too have had a similar episode with Avocado now too. This Going Bananas symdrome that I”m now going to coin seems to spring up in early adult hood. And why? I have no other allergies. My sister and I both have the same symptoms as everyone else here, the intense stomach pains… However, I have found that I can still eat my bananas if I down it with a large class of milk or put it in a smoothly with orange juice, other fuits, and yogart. It would be interested to have a study conducted on this Going Bananas symdrome, as there are lots of subjects with the condition. It might be linked to the body’s response to Potassium, as I have experienced a similar situation with Gadorade and not Power Aid. Which both vary in sodium and potassium content. The search continues!

By Kelvin Joe on Aug 11, 2005

Hey everyone, my friend had the exact same problem with stomach pains from eating bananas. He consumed bananas on a regular basis and developed the allergy in 2003.

I’ve done a little bit of research browsing through some scientific papers online and most of them correlate to a linkage with latex-fruit syndrome.

Some of the papers have done work on a class of proteins found in fruits called chitinases which reacts with IgE (Immunoglobulin E) in some people. Basically causing a reaction in a test tube, but the scientists are not all too certain about the allergy it causes in a person.

I also found this interesting paper:
Sanchez-Monge et al.(2000) Class I chitinases, the panallergens responsible for the latex-fruit syndrome, are induced by ethylene treatment and inactivated by heating. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 106(1 Part 1). July, 2000. 190-195.

This paper found that chitinase activity is activated by ethylene in fruits such as bananas and that cooking basically stops the chitinase from working so it won’t make you sick.

So to sum it all up, not a lot is known about this allergy, although the chitinase protein and presence of high ethylene is likely to be related.

The Beano product sounds interesting, maybe i’ll look into that someday :)

By Daryl on Aug 13, 2005

I too found out that I suffer from some sort of allergy from bananas, because every time I eat them, I wake up in the middle of the night with severe leg cramps, and I know people say eating bananas is supose to stop leg cramps but it gives them to me. I never have leg cramps until I eat a banana so I found that it was the connection, I don’t eat them any more and am fine now, but I can’t really find any refrence online to this allergy. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who has this weird type of problem, thanks a lot for sharing.

By Daryl on Aug 13, 2005

Oh by the way I am 24 now and my banana allergy started a couple years ago in early 20’s too

By Pam on Aug 18, 2005

Wow – Im so glad i found this site, I thought it was just me with these weird banana symptoms. Its half two in the morning and instead of sleeping like normal people do at this time, I am still up and have the most evil stomach pains and nausea due to stupidly eating a banana earlier – as this has happened on at least the last five occasions I have eaten bananas you would think I would have learned by now – duh. Ive just swallowed four antacids and Im considering waking my boyfriend up just to make him feel as miserable as I do. Next time I am tempted to eat a banana Im gonna look at this post and remember how grindingly, obscenely sick I feel right now ;) Ive been eating bananas for most of my 35 years, and its only recently I have had a problem – at the same time I have developed an allergy to hair bleach – if I even touch the smallest amount my throat swells, my face burns and I get wheezy. Anyway with this banana thing, I take it as a message from a higher source that healthy things make me ill – so Im gonna curl up with a beer and a burger next time

By Rob on Aug 30, 2005

About this crummy problem the most of us experience, my dad and I believe it may be linked to very high potassium levels or high levels of vitamin A, not sure what type, but i did a little research on the three main allergies i have and cantaloupe, i dont know if cantaloupe kills me though. The worst is avacados, which is acute severe pain, its really crippling, in 150 grams of avacados there is 219 IU of Vitamin A, and 727 mg of Potassium, the second worse for me is bananas, which puts me stuck on a bed for at least 6 hours, has, in a 225g serving 144 IU’s of Vitamin A, and 806 mg of potassium. The least on my rictor scale would be Eggs, a couple of hours of pain, not debilatating though, these are cooked mind you too. In a 100g serving there is 410 IU of Vitamin A and 147 mg of potassium, maybe the cooking breaks this high amount of Vitamin A down to a smaller amount. Now i dont have to much experince with the cantaloupe it has an amazingly high amount of Vitamin A 5987 IU in a 177g serving and 473 mg of potassium. This is just an analysis of what i think may cause our horrible pains, and the data seems to corralate to my experences, according to serving size and the fact i never cooked bananas or avacados. Also i first noticed my allergies to these foods around 15, and i am now 21, i dont think age plays the biggest factor, but maybe metabolism does. I also have Hypo-Glycemia, i have to eat every 5 hours or else i feel weird, dont know if that matters to this though. Anyone who can information about this, please email me at oursonapollo@aol.com

By heidi on Sep 23, 2005

hi! I’ve found reading this site very interesting as my one year old has been allergic to banans since she was six months old and she’s just gone through food challenge wich confirmed a severe reaction ‘anaphylaxsis’ however were waiting to see if it will be latex related and how many other foods will have the same effect, she also has hayfever wich is suspected to be related to banana allergies as it’s related to grasses along with watermelon .I now have to carry epi-pens everywhere with me and check if people have eaten bananas before touching her . If anyone has any ideas or know of any other children with same allergy please let me know. everyone looks at me strange when I say what she’s allergic to as though bananas are a holy fruit!!

By Eric on Sep 24, 2005

I’m another sad banana. I’m also 21, which, for whatever reason, does seem to be an age when this allergy frequently shows up. I never had a problem with bananas until a few days ago. About 15 minutes after eating half a banana I began experiencing violent stomach cramps and gassiness which lasted for almost two hours. I had no idea what was causing the cramping until today. I ate one baby banana (which i do not believe was sprayed) and almost immediately felt the same cramping and gassiness (burping almost constantly). A few hours later, I’m still feeling cramps. I am not allergic to latex, avocados, or any other foods that I know of, though my mouth occassionally itches after eating kiwis.

Someone should bring this to the attention of a specialist and find out what the deal is with this cramping banana business.

By Rob on Sep 29, 2005

Weird. I’ve pegged -very- severe stomach cramps to avocados, though there’s one episode I can’t tie to them. I have no trouble with bananas, nor latex allergies. Can’t seem to find much about it other than this blog.

Based on http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ethylene-Gas.htm, it’s hard to imagine that ethylene-concentrated ripening would have any dramatic effect. It’s just a fairly mundane hydrocarbon.

But hang on. It breaks down into ethylene glycol. This may or may not be what it does in the stomach, mind you, but this is interesting:
“Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat; lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); headache, dizziness, central nervous system depression; abnormal eye movements (nystagmus); skin sensitization; INGES ACUTE: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination, stupor, convulsions, unconsciousness; rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure; kidney damage, failure (delayed). ”

And the US OSHA says:

“Note: Exposure by ingestion can be determined by urinalysis for oxalic acid, a metabolite of ethylene glycol.”

There’s a bunch of history and context of ethylene here: http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ethylene-Gas.htm

I don’t think ethylene ripening would be considered unorganic; see e.g.: http://www.soilassociation.org.uk/web/sa/saweb.nsf/0/80256ad800554549802567850056dcba?OpenDocument

-Rob

By Justin on Oct 3, 2005

Another enemy of the banana apparently. I’m 20 and I haven’t been able to eat bananas and other foods sine I was probably 13 or so.

While some people have mentioned it already, I personally believe it’s the potassium that gets to me. I experience the stomach cramps/pain when I eat bananas, canteloupe (to a lesser extent), powerbars, dasani water and just now I discovered I get it if I eat too much tomatoes at once. All of which are pretty high in potassium. Perhaps a conclusion is on the way.

By Debra Adkins on Oct 4, 2005

My daughter Ashlee has had 2 bad reactions to bananas. Once back in the spring when a student brought a fruit tray to school with banana slices and yesterday. She had just eaten half a banana when her throat started itching, then smelling. Her eyes and ears burn and itch. She gets rash on legs and stomach. Cramps set in then she vomits for about an hour. Her eyes will swell almost shut and her throat swells to the point she can hardly breathe. She took Benadryl as guick as she could get it. This helps, but takes few minutes to work. She never had this problem until this year. She is 19. The part where she can harldy breathe is scary. Now she will stay away from bananas and always keep Benadryl with her.

By Jennifer on Oct 5, 2005

I sure am relieved I’m not the only one out there who gets banana-related stomach aches. I’m 16 years old and the pain started maybe a year ago. It didn’t take me long to realize it was bananas causing it. Whenever I see bananas, automatic alarms go off in my head like, “NO DON’T EAT THAT!” but today at lunch, I ignored them. Bad idea. The pain isn’t too bad this time, just mild discomfort, but sometimes it’s terrible. It makes me sad because I really do like bananas. This is the first time I’ve researched it online and I’m glad I did–I don’t feel like such a freak now. So I guess I have “banana allergies”… Do you think there are any studies being done to explain this? I’d really like to know why some lucky folks can eat all the bananas they want and I have to stand back and watch them sadly. :(

By Serena on Oct 5, 2005

Hey, try eating organic bananas, it made a huge difference for me. They have to be labelled “organic”. They can be a bit more expensive sometimes, but it is definitely worth it, because they don’t bother my stomach and cause pain in the least, like the other ones do. If you try them, can you post your results? Thanks. :)

By Mimi on Oct 9, 2005

I have the worst stomach aches when I eat avocados…I thought I was eating bad taquito’s for the longest time but then I finally put 2 & 2 together and realized it was the guacomole…By the way…I am not allergic to bananas or latex. I think the “gas ripened” theory may be the cause…because it is done to avocados too…but why don’t I have problems with the bananas? Very odd…I read that when bananas are cooked it kills some enzyme…that’s why the banana bread doesn’t bother those with the banana allergy

By Mimi on Oct 9, 2005

By the way…I was 19 when I started having my avocado allergy…but didn’t realize it was the avocado until I was 26 when my best friend & I had a discussion and I realized she had the same problem w/avocados

By Erika on Oct 13, 2005

I have similar problems as Rob mentions in his August 30, 2005 post, only in reverse order. I have not eaten eggs (concentrated form such as egg salad or omelets) since I was in high school because I get crippling stomach cramps. From time to time (seems to be more frequent these days) I find that avocado, bananas, cantaloupe, and broccoli have similar unpleasant effects.

By Nicholle on Oct 17, 2005

Why do I do it? Why do I still eat bananas when they make me feel so awful?! I am 26 and I have been having this banana issue for about 6 months now. Almost every time I eat them I have this terrible burning stomach ache and nausea that makes me feel like I want to crawl into bed for the rest of the day. It might only happen when the banana is just past it’s prime, but I’m not sure about this. It never used to happen, and now, all of a sudden, it hits me hard. I would really like to know what causes this, or, even better, how to make it feel better. I try antacids, pepto, milk, water, and nothing but time helps. Haven’t tried Beano. Any other suggestions? So far, I don’t have this reaction to any other foods that I am aware of. Just those evil little bananas.

By Sonia on Nov 1, 2005

I’ve been getting severe gas pains from bananas since about age 25. Now at 35, I’ve suddenly developed a similar reaction (only worse) to cantaloupe. It feels like trapped gas and is very painful. Taking Beano with a banana helps only a little bit. It’s too bad because I love the taste of bananas and cantaloupe. My husband gets the same reaction from apples. We both also have seasonal allergies(pollen, grasses, birch trees, Alder, ect..). As a side note, my mouth gets red and irritated after eating certain fruits which are juicy (peaches, plums, strawberries..) Also, the smell of peanuts makes me feel like I’m choking/having trouble breathing. Not sure if all these allergies are related. As a kid, I could eat anything. Ah.. to be young again.

By stephanie on Nov 1, 2005

I wanted to find out why bananas make me sick also. I am so surprised to know that so many other people experience the same symptoms…My stomach cramps up, but also my throat burns when I try to comsume them!!! What the heck is it? I wasn’t this way until I was about 5 months pregnant with my first baby! At that time I was 19! Someone needs to find out what’s really going on and have it stopped! I honestly think they’re being contaminated! I can’t even eat my ( use to be) favorite dessert, banana pudding! By the way, my first son never liked bananas from the start!

By Marianne on Nov 4, 2005

Wow, this is amazing. I have had it with this mess. I am at work. Just ate 1/2 of a banana after years of stearing clear. Stupid !! I am so sick ! I feel like I have the flu. Nausea, chills, headache…ugh ! Avocados kill me too !! It is really sad. There are only a few fruits that I like, and of course, they don’t like me. Have any of you actually gone to a doctor about this specifically? You speak of a latex allergy and honestly I don’t know what you are talking about. What is the correlation between fruit and latex. I must have missed something ! Will do more research. If anybody has the time to bring me up to speed I would greatly appreciate it.

By Debbie on Nov 9, 2005

In response to Marianne from http://www.latexallergyresources.org/Product_lists/food_list.cfm:

Listed below are the allergens reported to be associated (clinically or immunochemically) with natural rubber latex.
—————————-

Degree of Association or Prevalence High Moderate Low or Undetermined
(3) (8) (21)
Banana Apple Pear Mango
Avacado Carrot Peach Rye
Chestnut Celery Plum Wheat
Papaya Cherry Grasses
Kiwi Pineapple Ragweed
Potato Strawberry Mugwort
Tomato Fig Hazelnut
Melons Grape Walnut
Apricot Soybean
Passion Fruit Peanut
Nectarine

Simultaneous occurrence of allergies to certain pollens and foods described above have also been documented in reports independent of those focusing on natural rubber latex. Significant levels of allergenic cross-reactivity have been demonstrated for the allergen groups listed below:

Mugwort with Carrot, Celery, Apple, Peanut and Kiwi
Birch with Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry and Hazelnut
Grasses with Potato
Ragweed with Banana and Melons

By Monica on Nov 12, 2005

I’m so glad I found this page. I feel much better knowing I’m in good company with the banana syndrome. Mine started around age 23. I get the really bad burning stomach ache – feels like the winds is also knocked out of me. I am 33 now, and have steared clear for a lot of years, but was curious the other day about the “allergy”, so tried another. I had two bananas on two different days earlier this week. The first didn’t bother me. The second one gave me just a touch of stomach trouble, and I remember that one was really green yet. The one I had tonight though, whoa!! I haven’t felt pain like that since I was in labor! This one was quite ripe. I asked my husband to go online to see if he could find ANYTHING, since Mylanta wasn’t working, and he found this website. It’s nice to read all these entries, since everytime I mention it to doctors they look at me a little strangely. Have never tried avacados – never will after reading other posts! Not a single allergy of any other kind – just this one. Not to be gross, but I actually forced myself to vomit because the pain was so intense. It helped a lot, but I’m not condoning it. I was just really desperate.

By Julia on Nov 16, 2005

Interestingly I just determined I have a banana allergy. I’m 34, but I can remember having my first banana-causing stomach pains at age 27. I’m not allergic to any other foods (that I know of) but at the age of 33 developed definite allergies to mold and dust.

The only reason I know I have a banana allergy is because I’ve done much research on my 1-yr olds food allergies and know the signs. Oh, the food allergies my kid has– all dairy, eggs, turkey, chicken, and nuts. And we suspect environmental allergies too. My first child has no allergies, food or environmental.

I find it very interesting that the great majority of the people who have responded to this board developed the banana allergy in their 20s. Sounds like a great research project topic!

By Sunny on Nov 19, 2005

I too have had a hard time finding any helpful information on the internet regarding banana sensitivity/allergy. I suspect my 22 month old is allergic after ruling out other obvious allergins. I believe he gets quite an upset stomach, cramping and pretty bad bowel movements (warning: TMI – he gets frequent soft stools, sometimes diarrhea, as often as 3-5 times per day rather than the usual once a day BM). We are now going to cut out bananas and see what happens. But already in the last 2 days he seems much better. And along with the above woman who’s child turns from “sweet to devil”, my child also becomes quite difficult, whining and crying often. I feel horrible being a part of that and not having figured it out sooner. He LOVES bananas and would eat one a day. Well, no more. thank you to the gentleman who’s blog we’ve crashed and allowed us to comment on the most in depth info on banana allergies I’ve found on the web.

By Marjie on Nov 21, 2005

I like most of you have had bad reactions to banana’s and also Broccoli. OMG, everytime I eat them, I feel as if my stomach is being ripped apart. My doctor tells me that my body is not absorbing the potassium fast enough which is causing gastointestianl problems and has told me to keep those items out of my diet. I’ve had this problem since age 10, so it’s definitely not an age factor. Being the idiot I am, made my son a chocolate, peanut butter, banana smoothie a couple hours ago. I figured one little sip of it wouldn’t harm me. “YEA RIGHT” I feel as if my stomach is being ripped in half, have the sweats, nausea and watery stools. So now I know I can’t even taste banana’s without getting these horrible pains!

By john on Dec 9, 2005

after reading an article on the positive affects on the body from eating bananas I decided to give them a try,probably 20 plus years since I last ate one I’m now aged 54.Within a couple of days I had most of the symptoms described by the other sufferers,not recognising an associated problem I continued to eat one banana a day for a little over a week.My symptoms were,stomach and gut pains,tiredness,heartburn,burping and sickly feeling,itchy eyes and leg cramps at night and unlike the others I had a dry feeling in the mouth and sore tongue.It’s three days since I last ate one and thankfully I feel almost right,still got dry mouth.Unfortunately no more bananas for me.

By Mitch on Dec 11, 2005

Sorry to hear other deal with the same issues regarding the “devil fruit” banana. After years of no issues eating bananas both raw and cooked I experience the stomach pressure described above. This started at about age 25 and has gotten worse, now at 42 any small amounts of banana will have me out of service for @ 2 hours.

By Bill R on Dec 13, 2005

I am in my 60’s. Had no problem with bananas till about 6 months ago. Now I have serious rashes, boils etc. on my back and legs. I just realized it may be the bananas which I eat every day. To-day I will stop and see what happens. Anyone else had this happen to them?

By Tonya on Dec 20, 2005

My husband ALWAYS gets bad pain in the stomach after eating a banana. I was glad to find your info. & see that he’s not the only one who has this problem. Thanks- Tonya

By Lia on Jan 5, 2006

Wow! Over a year now and this blog is still helping people… awesome.

I too have the banana stomache aches. I also get alot of gas after too, but mostly it’s the tummy aches that have me doubled over in pain for about 2 hours. I went to the doctora few weeks ago after already have suffered with this for way too long (I’ll guess in my late twenties, and I’m 34 now) and I was misdiagnosed as being lactose intolerant.

I stuck with that and changed the way I ate shortly before Christmas; but during the break I couldn’t stay away from the things I couldn’t have, especially chocolate. I pushed further and further, and I was fine.

Well I returned to work this week (still making my coffees with rice milk) and I started eating bananas, one a day at second break, and then there they were, my horrible stomach aches. I never put the two together.

THANK YOU for this post! I’ll be doing more research on this but I’m very satisfied it has to do with the way bananas are processed. I’m going to try organic ones next week to see what happens.

By Vixx on Jan 8, 2006

OMG this post is the best! I thought I was a freak with the old Banana Belly (as I call it!) – now I know i’m not, and it definitely IS the bananas and will try the organic alternatives!

Thanks everyone!

By karen on Jan 16, 2006

I am so glad that i had found this site! I used to eat bananas all the time, but around 4years ago, i linked my stomach cramps and pain to eating bananas.I even done a bit of a test to prove it by one day eating nothing but 1 banana, and about 1hour after, the cramps started.
I am 23 now too, it seems too weird that all the people on here have developed this during the last 5years or so.
I every now and again try a banana to see if it will stop, but it doesnt. I ate one about 3hours ago today to see if they have stopped, and now i am in constant pain! I am glad that i am not alone on this one!

By Becca on Jan 26, 2006

I have a 15 month old daughter who stopped sleeping through the night at six months when we started giving her solid foods. The only foods that I can pin point that she has had almost every day since then are bananas and green beans. I too thought it might be the bananas but my husband found an article about how great they are supposed to be so I let it go. Until today… One of my friends said that she gets a terrible stomach ache from eating bananas. It was one of those A HA! moments. I’m so sad to hear all of you have this same problem but so glad to hear that this could be the cause of my daughters sleep disturbances. The poor girl is probably waking up with gas, stomach aches or leg cramps!

By Annie on Jan 27, 2006

I, too went searching for an explanation to these banana cramps. I am 28. They started after having my first kid at 23. My first born loves bananas without consequences, but the youngest takes one bite and spits it out.
I have never had such paralyzing abdominal pain that lasts for hours!It doesn’t matter what stage of ripening, they always put me out for a few hours. I made myself throw up today, just to get rid of half the pain. I’ve tried TUMS, GasX , Maalox…nothing works.

By Allison on Jan 28, 2006

I get bad stomach cramps from bananas, too. It started when I was about 7, and I figured out what it was when I was 8 (why didn’t my mum notice?). It also happens with melons (watermelon, honey doo, and cantelope). I’ve heard of allergies to potasium, but can’t find much information on it. I asked my dad (a doctor) what he thinks it couuld be, and he says that some people are intolerant of the kind of sugars that’s in bananas and melons (it’s the same kind of sugar). For the people who say they have trouble with avacados too, both bananas and avacados are high in potasium, so you might want to check that out.

By Jeff on Feb 11, 2006

I just noticed that every time I eat bananas..especially on an empty stomach I get a slight stomach ache. I also get flushed and slightly light-headed and tingly feeling on my skin.

This is kind of the same feeling I get from MSG but MSG is much worse. I used to not have a problem with bananas.

By Alise on Feb 13, 2006

I have an allergy to bananas as well as melons and selected tropical fruites. My doctor told me that I have a reaction to these foods because I have hayfever! Apparantly (and keep in mind this is what the immunologist said, so I might not have really understood everything she said) the molecule that causes people with hayfever to react to ragweed is very similar in shape to a molecule found in bananas. Or something. Basically, whenever people with my affliction eat bananas or melons, their body thinks that they’re ingesting ragweed. Nuts, I tell you. I’m actually very interested to see how many people there are who react to this type of food. I usually get very weird looks when I tell people that I’m allergic. I’m glad I stumbled on this blog – I don’t feel so alone.

By Kelly on Feb 14, 2006

Wow – I can’t believe I am not the only one out there with banana pains! My husband thinks I am crazy w/all of these weird food allergies, so I am glad to find that I am not the only one. For the past several years (I am 25 now) I get varying degrees of stomach pains every time I eat a banana. Sometimes it’s not that bad – hence I continue to eat them. I think that today may be the last straw though – I ate one with lunch and have felt like I was punched in the stomach ever since. It is a strange pain b/c it doesn’t feel like I am going to be sick – it literally hurts – it’s very distinct from any other stomach pain I experience.

Also, I too have developed the melon / hay fever allergy. I was at a brunch about a year ago and ate a lot of canteloupe (something I don’t eat on a regular basis) and I also had been eating watermelon at home. I broke out in a rash inside my mouth that itched like crazy. I had experienced it before, but it always went away after a day or so, so I never really paid attention to the cause. However b/c I kept eating watermelon for a few days after the canteloupe I think it just continued to aggravate it so I suffered with it for several days before I searched for the cause. I came across the melon / hayfever allergy and put two and two together. I won’t be eating canteloupe again, which is fine b/c I don’t care for it that much any way, but I LOVE bananas!

By Lisa on Feb 14, 2006

It’s confirmed to me– bananas have been the cause of intense stomach cramps. I’ve figured it out (the hard way) and after cutting out the fruit, I haven’t had bad stomach aches. Also reading other people’s experiences help because they’re exactly what I went through. I also felt a dull sort of head ache, body temperature increased (especially in my face), and a slightly nauseous feeling. I just stay away from it. It’s too bad, I loved bananas– satisfying snack when you’re hungry and need something healthy with substance!

By Sarah on Feb 16, 2006

Wow! Never realized this was an issue for so many people.

The first time I had a “fruit reaction” was when I was 19. I had eaten kiwis all my life and loved them without a problem. I had a fruit tart and had a terrible reaction, hives all around my mouth, inside, down my throat, difficulty breathing and TERRIBLE stomach cramps for a few hours. I thought it was the glaze on the tart, and just swore not to eat fruit tarts any longer. A few weeks later I had a small slice of kiwi and had the same reaction. I mentioned it to my doctor and he asked if I had ever had a similar problem with bananas or avocados, at that point I had not. He told me to avoid them because it was a classic food allergy to kiwis and those other foods tend to cause similar reactions. I was a vegetarian college student at the time, bananas were a quick breakfast and avocados had many valuable benefits and also were great in sandwiches. I kept eating them without problem. Two years later I started dating a guy (now my fiancé :)!) that was really into sushi and got me into it. I was starting to eat fish again but still liked to stick to the veggie based rolls. I had a dragon roll one night (eel and lots of avocado); I ended up having terrible stomach cramps and was extremely nauseous all night (makes for a great date!). I thought I had bad fish and didn’t think anything of it. A similar reaction happened shortly thereafter and it dawned on me what my doctor had said a few years prior. My avocado allergy was here! For some reason guacamole in small quantities doesn’t bother me, but straight avocado produces terrible stomach aches and nauseous ness. I am now 24 and up until recently I was still eating a few bananas every week, suddenly I noticed the weird stomach aches starting with them too. I mentioned it to someone at work who said that his wife couldn’t eat raw bananas that her stomach was too sensitive to potassium and caused heartburn and cramping. Banana bread is still ok though. I thought it was strange that my food allergies are taking so long to form. And it really stinks that I love to eat healthy foods and 3 really good ones are off limits unless I want to feel terrible for a few hours.

I have yet to have a bad reaction to latex, I fear this is coming and I think I am going to request that medical personal use latex free gloves to hopefully avoid a future reaction.

I guess you learn something new every day!

By Christa on Feb 18, 2006

Wow! I couldn’t believe my luck to find a posting like this! I have been intolerant to bananas since around the age of 20 ( iam now 26). I get really terrible cramping for about an hour or two after eating a banana….though not from banana bread like some people have commented. For the past 4 years or so I have chalked it up to IBS (irritated bowel syndrome)however I am starting to think otherwise. I also have intoerances to fruit juice (exept citrus), vodka, sometimes milk, and the most recent is eggs -especially duck eggs. the egg intolerance showed up just a year a ago…though if the egg is cooked in something I am fine. I have been prescribed various types of IBS medication… none of which worked. Lately I have been trying to link it all together and i am going to make an appointment with a doctor to see if I have certain sugar intolerances….like to fructose, lactose ect. or even fructose malabsorbtion…. don’t know how the eggs will fit in there though. I will be sure to post if I get some answers about banana pains from the doc!

By Melissa on Feb 20, 2006

wow! i love the internet!

if i could sum up from what i’ve read here and elsewhere on the web, we seem to be talking about a few different types of banana intolerances / allergies:

1. intolerance causing severe cramping, starting in early 20’s. seems to be caused by lack of tolerance either to chitinase activity in some fruits (like avocado and bananas) activated by the use of ethylene gas for ripening – and/or – lack of tolerance to high levels of potassium. these type of intolerances can be linked to latex allergies, but not always.

2. anaphylaxis banana allergy… likely lifelong, involving respiratory distress.

3. childhood intolerance causing hives and discomfort, resulting in cranky, uncomfortable babies/kids.

my son will be turning 1 next month and falls into the third category (so far). just prior to 6-months, we started him on solids and banana was the first thing we gave him. it took a couple days, but then he broke out in so many hives all over his back, belly and legs that we thought he had chicken pox!

a friend saw him and related to us that her son had the same reaction to bananas when he was young and was told by her doctor that it was too much potassium. we also have another friend (now in her 30s) who says she had the same reaction as a child but is fine now.

i held off on giving my son bananas until now and after giving him banana a couple days ago, he is now again covered in spots and miserable… though he cannot tell me where it hurts, his bad mood definitely points to discomfort beyond the spots.

my husband works in organic produce and we only buy organic. ethylene gas occurs naturally in bananas and other fruit and is used to speed up ripening… the only difference with organically ripened fruit is that the ethylene is organic from natural sources. BUT, if you get non-organic fruit, especially bananas, you’re ingesting all manner of nasty pesticides etc, and you don’t know if it’s GMO or not. and the organic bananas taste way better! :)

thanks to everyone who’s posted here for the helpful info and good luck!

ps – a good site that explains the differences between allergies and intolerances: Surrey Allergy Clinic

By Libby on Feb 23, 2006

Hi,
I am looking for people who get cramps in their feet after eating bananas. I remember that I started to get these foot and calf cramps immediately after eating a banana when I was about 30 and I’ve had them for 20 years. It’s so strange because I hear from other people that eating bananas prevents foot cramps. I can also get these foot cramps if I’m feeling very nervous and anxious. So the worst thing for me to do in that case is to eat a banana. It’s so frustrating because there is nothing I can think of to help my foot cramps because bananas make them worse.

By sm on Feb 25, 2006

I get the same violent stomach ache when I eat bananas too. I discovered though, that when I went to Jamaica, I was eating fresh ripened bananas with absolutely no troubles. As soon as I came back to Canada I got my bad stomach aches again after eating a banana. I assumed it must have been something in the ripening gasses. I haven’t tried the organic ones yet – maybe that will help me. I also get it when I eat eggs sometimes. Anyone else?

By jarrett on Mar 5, 2006

wow, i’m not the only one in this world. i just had some bananas and ice cream and my stomach is crazzzzzyy. it’s been doing this ever since i was aboot 10 or 11. I haven’t had bananas in awhile and I thought i’d try it out tonight…. and now my stomach is killer me, i didn’t think i could drive home even.

By Matthew on Mar 17, 2006

The first time I experienced the terrible Banana stomach pain was in my early twenties after eating banana pudding(fresh bananas). It was very severe pain all through my esophogus and stomach. My stomach also bloated and I would burp every couple of minutes.

Today I ate a banana after trying to change my eating habits to a more healthy lifestyle and the same thing happened. I ate the banana at 4:00 pm. It is now 8:00pm and I am still in horrible pain. I will probably not go away until midnight or so.

It is amazing how the medical community is clueless on this topic!

By Matthew on Mar 18, 2006

Since we are conducting our own clinical study I thought I would post my condition.

As stated before I ate the banana 3/17/2006 at 4:00 pm. The first sign of any trouble was a small pain just above the stomach. An hour later severe pain in the stomach occured as well as bloating and burping about every two minutes.

The severe pain continued until about 5:00 am on the 3/18/2006. Overall the pain is slowly subsiding. As of 8:00 am I feel quite a bit better, but I still burb occasionally and there is residual pain in the esophogus.

Many of the symtoms are the same as the other posts except in my case the pain seemed to last much longer. A total of 17 hours so far. I suspect it should be completely gone by 1 or 2 this afternoon.

Medications such as prilosec and coating agents such as pepto had no effect. When drinkin liquids, i noticed the pain increased as the liquid would wash over the area of the esophogus that had the most pain.

My guess is that it was an allergic reaction very much like the reaction to poison ivy only on the inside. The only way to find out exactly what is wrong would be to eat a banana wait an hour then have a doctor use an endoscope to view the esophogus and stomach.

By Kelly on Mar 19, 2006

My son is 13 and for years he has gotten sick if he eats banana. He eats just about anything and hardly ever is sick. He has not eaten any bananas for a few years but yesterday he had a smoothie that had banana in it. He was violently ill for at least 1 hour. He threw-up for at least 45 mins. and then slept for about 2 hours. He then seemed fine. Does anyone else throw-up from eating bananas? I wonder if I need to have his potassium levels checked.

By Shannon on Mar 24, 2006

Thank God, I thought I was the only one. Mine started around age 23. I used to eat them all the time- because the potasium helped with cramps in my legs from swimming. I can have cooked plantains and bananas and the pain isn’t as bad, but occasionally present. I have found that if I have eaten something prior, the pain isn’t as bad. I’m retesting that theory right now. Wish me luck.

By Christine on Apr 6, 2006

OK, I’m another one who has just learned that I can no longer eat the fruit that I love. For the last couple of years I’ve noticed that every time I eat a banana, I’m down for the count. The stomach cramps are like nothing I’ve ever felt in my life. Even menstural cramps aren’t this bad. I am 29 now, and as a child I loved bananas. I’m so bummed. :-(

By janesayzz30 on Jun 4, 2006

HEY EVERYONE JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN BANANA AND AVOCADO ALLERGIES AND LATEX ALLERGIES. THERE ARE SIMILAR ENZYMES IN THEM. Bananas do not make me sick but avocados make me feel almost deathly ill. I like the way they taste and I like the texture. I love guacomole and decided I would make some to go with my tortilla chips a few nights ago, hoping that i would not get sick. A few hours later my stomach was hurting so bad, it hurts for hours, I was mesirable until I finally vomited.

By matt2 on Jun 12, 2006

I too am amazed to read everyone’s symptoms which are so similiar to my own. I have had cramping and pain from bananas since I was about 10 or 11, and before then I ate them with no problem. I also have a mild latex sensitivity, and have linked the abdominal pain to raw (not cooked) tomatoes, avocado, and kiwi. I never have other symptoms of an “allergy” like itching or rashes from these foods, only intense stomach pains.

The strange this is that I have occasionally had these stomach pains at other times when I haven’t eaten any of these fruits – I suspect things like walnuts or long-grain rice were to blame. I am still working on pinpointing all of the culprits so that I can avoid those foods – as you all know the pain is horrible and nothing seems to relieve it except time.

I’m glad to read everyone’s comments – good to know that I’m not crazy!

By jennnn on Aug 1, 2006

Hallelujah! I am really shocked at the number of people posting to this issue. I guess if we think about the number of people on the web, it’s a relatively small number. Like everyone else, it’s such a ‘weird’ allergy that we’re all happy to find others that share symptoms because it gives us hope that there is an answer. I, too, began to show symptoms my freshman year in college after enjoying banana sandwiches my entire life. What a fascinating research subject this could be. Can someone forward this information to an allergy specialist at some medical school?
I also get horrible abdominal pain from pineapple, which I enjoyed today, until about an hour later, at which time I began to get flushed and get that all-familiar banana burn in my belly. It is such a sad allergy. Bananas are so yummy.

By sherieberry on Aug 10, 2006

Wow!

I have suffered from severe banana belly pains as well since my early 20’s. I am now 35. I always had a banana for breakfast (always on the green side). I too can eat cooked bananas. Glad to hear I am not crazy!

I also get an uncomfortable/full feeling after eating eggs. My father and four brothers all get the same uncomfortable feeling in their stomach for the rest of the day if they eat eggs as well. It is not as bad as my banana pain. It does not happen if the eggs are cooked in a recipe, just eaten alone.

I was just wondering if anyone else has the same issue with eggs. I wonder if there is a genetic component.

I have not had a banana for about 6 years and would love to have one. I am just terrified to see if the pains will reappear. They are so bad, at times I considered going to the hospital.

By heather on Sep 4, 2006

I am glad to have found this site too. I get the same awful stomache ache from bananas and avocados. After eating either, it feels like my stomach is full of cement. But I can eat banana bread, cooked bananas, etc. I had my gall bladder removed and was thinking this might be part of the problem? Has anyone else? In the meantime, the organic and beano suggestions I will have to try. Thanks!

By TonyaM on Sep 10, 2006

I’m so glad I found this board. I’ve been researching this problem for years only to find there’s very little info out there. I began having the banana pains in my early twenties also. I can only describe it as deep, boring, burning pain. Accompanied by bloating and gas. It is intense and last for at least a few hours. The only thing I’ve found to give me a tiny bit of relief is some pepto and laying on my stomach for a couple of hours (not always practicable). I’ve never really cared for avocoados but have noticed the same pain after eating mexican if quaqamole (sp) had gotten on any of the other food I was eating. Now for the bad news. I’m 44 years old and have noticed in recent years that I experience the same stomach pains (deep burning) occasionally (and not as intense – yet)when I eat pineapple and walnuts. Haven’t noticed anything we cantelope though. The most interesting thing I’ve read on this problems so far, is that these food are all high in serotonin (I didn’t know that foods had serotonin and that people can have an intolerance to foods high in serotonin. But I don’t know if I’m completely convinced yet. Good Luck researching this problem and keep us all posted.

By userscreenname on Sep 15, 2006

I’m 23 years old and about 6 months ago I noticed that my heart rate was rather high. The school nurse (my symptoms weren’t deemed important enough to see the doctor) said that it was probably due to stress and lack of sleep. Tonight I had a banana heart dish for dinner. About 2 hours later I was hit with a horrible pain in my jaw and decided to lie down. This was soon followed by what felt like rabid creatures trying to punch their way out of my sternum. As I laid down with tears falling out my eyes, I thought back to the last time my heart raced like crazy and I distinctlly remembered my conversation with the nurse. She asked how my diet was and I told her it was great; I was eating lots of fruits….mainly bananas. So right now, it sucks to be half Filipino. Bananas, avocados, mangos….could the list of possible allergies get any worse?

By vuotto on Sep 17, 2006

Hello all,
I was just searching for something on mushrooms, avocados and bananas, and came across your site. My problem started with mushrooms when I was pregnant at 25 years old. I thought it was just something about being pregnant, but, turned out I still got the horrible stomach ache after I had the baby too. A couple years later it started with avocados too, and soon after bananas. I can eat avocado or banana in very small amounts mixed with other foods (like in banana bread) without a problem, but I can’t eat a banana by itself. I can’t eat mushrooms in ANYTHING or I get really bad stomach ache. I wanted to post this b/c I didn’t see any of the others mention mushrooms, although alot of them say avocados and bananas. Also, can someone explain what the latex allergy is? Like what are the symptoms? If I have that I don’t know about it. Thanks!

By desertdandies on Sep 17, 2006

Hi, I also get these horrible cramps, fatigue, dizziness and nausea after eating bananas, avocados, and fresh mushrooms. I developed my sensitivities in my early 20’s, I am now 36. I haven’t tried the beano yet but I have found that drinking as little as an ounce of red wine when I feel the pain coming on, cuts the pain and other symptoms dramatically in about 15 minutes or so. I’m so happy to have finally found other people that share this problem with me.

By kbear222 on Nov 13, 2006

OMG – I wish I had found this site before. I too can eat banana bread with no problem – but am in so much pain after raw bananas. I just read yesterday how good they were for you the perfect food. I like them, but they surely do not like me – use for upset stomach – RIGHT! I also have a problem with avocado (which I used to be able to eat all the time) – if I eat quacamole I am in bed. It also happens with some melons – especially cantelope. I just read that cantelope has potassium in it – maybe it is a potassium allergy – that would be a common denominator in all of the items – maybe not mushrooms, but avocado, banana and cantelope. MMMM

By Jay on Nov 16, 2006

I used to eat bananas for every break at work (about 2 a day) and never had any problems until about 3 years ago (when I was 26). Then all the sudden I would get these intense intestinal pains, basically folding me in half, along with intense sweating but I would never vomit, just pain for a good 30 minutes. Took me a couple of weeks to figure out bananas were the culprit. Ever since, whenever I eat raw bananas, I get that same pain about 80% of the time.

But what I wonder is: is it really the bananas or is it whatever they go through before they end up in the store (pesticides, radiation, genetic modifications, etc.)? I mean, why all the sudden do so many people seem to have a problem with bananas? Makes me a bit suspicious…

By Chele on Jan 2, 2007

Happy 2007. I also began the intense, heavy, burning pain in my stomach in my early 20’s; I am now approaching 40! I discovered that raw tomatoes caused this more than awful feeling that lasted for several hours.(I can eat all of the cooked tomatoes that I want!) It never lead to diareaha or vomiting; unless I made myself vomit just to feel better. As time went on, I realized that avocado, bananas, somtimes eggs, and sometimes a larger serving of various nuts will give me this pain. I am also gluten sensitive, and have an allergy to shellfish! I do not know if I am allergic to latex, but would think that I would know that by now. I am far more holistic in my eating and in my beliefs than my primary care doctors; therefore, I have not had any help other than a suggestion to take a pill for IBS!! I was sooooo angered by this because: 1) I DO NOT have IBS. This is pain with constipation and diareaha and other symptoms that I do not have. I don’t ever have diareaha or vomiting unless I contract a GI bug, and IBS is defined as intestinal issues! 2) It really disturbs me that a doctor would really reccommend that one takes a pill to mask the pain just so one can continue to ingest what this particular body sees as “poison!”
Anyhow, this is the first and only place that I have found other people with this food issue. My hope is for the medical field to recognize it, and to identify a common composition. My list of what not to eat just keeps growing! The upside is, I eat really pretty healthy. I look forward to more posts.

By Dan on Jan 3, 2007

Nice to find this information. I have had slightly high blood pressure for years and all the meds the doctor prescribed made me ill. So I read that bananas were good to lower BP. So a few weeks ago I started eating two a day. Didn’t feel good from the start but stayed with it. Then after a week or so I was on the toilet many times a day. Felt warm, achy, nauseated, IBS – same feelings I get from sulfites and MSG. Then I skipped a day by accident a couple of days ago and felt pretty good. My sinuses also cleared a bit – nice feeling. Then today had a banana for b-fast. 20 minutes later, nauseated, and over the past few hours (it’s 1:30pm now) felt just like I do when I accidentally eat sulfited food. Guess the bananas are out for me. Interesting note though, the BP did drop.

Great site.

By MartyCherylCT on Jan 16, 2007

Hi, thanks for all your posts! I stumbled across this trying to help my wife who has been ill from (I think) eating so many bananas! Of course all you read is that there are no problems at all and they are a healthy food. She starts each day with a half or whole banana raw and has had nothing but increasing “kicked in the stomach” feelings in her stomach. She has lost weight. She has been tested for almost everything she can be tested for including blood tests one of those stomach scopy tests etc. She also reacted poorly to Broccoli so their might be something to the info here that deserves a look.

I didnt see anyone mention this, but has any of you who were eating bananas actually had lower appetite in general or just the banana eating pain? My wife seems not able to each much even later in the day. She is very thin for her age and height and we are going for more tests in a matter of days. Anyone with any weight loss that was eating bananas daily?

Thanks for all the great info!

Marty

By BGP04 on Jan 22, 2007

Wow, I’ve been looking for information on this for years. I have the horrible stomach cramp reaction to avocado, even in the tiniest quantities (the stuff that clings to the sushi rice after you poke the avocado out), and to bananas if I eat more than a half uncooked. I have also had the feeling from broccoli when I eat a lot of it, and from pineapple. I live in California now and it is hard to avoid avocado. Has anyone had success at treating the pain from avocado? It really knocks me out. Has anyone tried to “cook” avocado to see if that prevents the problem? Sounds gross… but I just ate a bite today when the dummy at the burrito place added avocado instead of not putting any in when I specifically said NO avocado, I can’t eat any. Anyway, the stomachache is much milder than normal and I wonder after reading this if it is because the heat of the burrito steamed the avocado and neutralized whatever the gas products are that might cause the problem?

Thanks for any help. Maybe we should start a foundation!!

By CK on Feb 12, 2007

If any one is checking back, I believe a Doctor once told me that my stomach could not handle the high dose of potassium all at once, especially if I wasn’t consuming 8 glasses of water or more in a day. He also recommended that I eat toast or oatmeal with it; I chose toast since oatmeal does the same thing to me. Let’s face it, both bananas and oatmeal are heavy, and the complex sugars could play a role. A little goes a long way, considering it’s nutritional value and caloric content, half of a banana is best mixed with another meal option. I can’t seem to get all my water down so I still have the ache! Take care all

By CK on Feb 12, 2007

I forgot to add that I just hope they don’t find out there is something wrong with the bananas or the way they are grown in the near future!

By Ser on Feb 14, 2007

I have that avocado problem too. Yes, the sushi and guacamole! Oh my. I also have to pick out the avocado from the sushi, and even then my stomach still hurts about an hour or so later.

Bananas used to be painful until I switched to organic bananas, for some reason those are fine.
And raw broccoli doesn’t bother me anymore either.
Raw and cooked mushrooms are also a big problem for me.
One solution I found = drinking a carbonated drink if I accidentally have avocado or mushrooms, that will to burp the painful gas.

By myx on Mar 5, 2007

I also get really bad stomachaches if I have even one bite of a banana! It happened all of a sudden, I used to have no problem whatsoever with them, and one day, POOF. Pain.
Someone mentioned gassing bananas to help them ripen. Now I think my problem has nothing to do with this, because I lived in Argentina, and they didn’t gas anything to ripen over there. It’s basically off the tree, in a crate, and over to us from Brazil!
The only other thing that really causes me this same sort of problem is eggs. Any more than 1/2 an egg and it’s the same story. The occasional problem with some spicy foods, but I mostly avoid those anyway. Still wondering what is IN bananas specifically that might be causing this!

By JoannaAd on Mar 11, 2007

I really wished I had looked for this information sooner. Just spent 5 hours in bed after eating half of an avacado realizing that the same thing happens when I eat a raw banana. Am surprised that the two are connected and will try the organic fruit and Beano route going forward.

By CaitiB on Mar 20, 2007

Hi, I believe have something closer to an anaphlaxis response to bananas. I recently made a discovery after eating a dehydrated fruit and nut bar. The bar was banana flavored and from what the company told me, is mostly made of bananas, with some nuts as well.
My symptoms when I ate this bar were dry throat, dry mouth, tingling and itching in my tongue and palate, and laryngeal irritation (it made my throat itchy and I developed a dry cough). I felt this after a few bites, but was in the middle of something and chalked it up to bad ventilation (I work in an old, dusty school building). Then later I ate the rest of the bar in my car and noticed the same symptoms again, but worse.

I remembered that I had had a similar reaction, but even more unpleasant, when I was in college and absent-mindedly ate a small jar of bananas my mother had dried in a food dehydrator while studying one night. That night my mouth became dry and my tongue felt furry, and I felt really, really out of it for a few hours. I have (cautiously) eaten raw bananas since my reaction to the banana bar without any negative results.

I’d be curious to know if anyone else finding this page has an anaphlaxis type response to dehydrated bananas. Maybe it was just the amount of concentrated banana, or maybe it was the slow heating process.

I am 28 years old. I have seasonal allergies and lactose intolerance. I don’t have other food/fruit allergies, though fresh pineapples sometimes “sting” my tongue.

By Rhiannon on Mar 22, 2007

Hey there,

Hmm after perusing most of the comments it’s strange how many people suffer from this.
I have issues with a LOT of foods.
Guava – the smell of the fruit straight off the tree is enough to set off allergies which then have me wheezing like the asthmatic I am.

Bananas, avocados, mushrooms, eggs (though they kind of fall under ‘dairy’ and I KNOW I’m not supposed to eat them) all cause the SAME thing.

They found that it MAY be IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The foods are ‘trigger’ foods and basically I can eat banana’s now … but LET me try eat one a few weeks from now … or maybe I’ll be okay that time but the Avo will set it off. So sometimes I will have pain and other times while my ’spastic colon’ is behaving I won’t … it’s a risk factor. It’s like onboard Fear Factor!

The pain is like someone drove a hot poker into your middle at the belly button – let it stick to skin, twisted and jabbed. It’s horrible, horrible pain … also lasts for up to 4 hours with me (I usually eventually go to sleep from sheer exhaustion of having to deal with it). Stress is a common trigger that sets off the bowel – then when consuming (strangely) these foods they set it off.
I was told to eat wholewheat bread to help the bowel – I spent more time in pain than when I ate white bread – try not to eat bread much if at all now. Preparation of the bread also matters.

Bananas – not sure if it’s an allergy or if they ARE in fact a trigger food. NEVER had the classic itchy nose, itchy throat / ears, swollen feeling in airways that I experience with most other allergies. The joys of being an asthmatic is that I’m allergic to blooming EVERYTHING given half a chance.

May well be a case of allergy in some cases above, IBS might be something to consider too, it might be an overdose of potassium as one person said …

Interesting though that it’s the same fruit(s). I can add mushrooms.

PS thank you for the info and also to the comment info about gassing banana’s – that might JUST be what helps this fruit drop it’s ‘trigger’ food status for me. I live in South Africa, and Durban (Kwazulu-Natal) is one of the largest Banana places here – we *shouldn’t* be gassing but who knows.

By Marcia Milam on Apr 1, 2007

My sister found this blog for me. I have had a “Banana Issue” for years- If I can remember right, it started about the time I was pregnant with my first child as well. Also have a mild lactose intolerance-most severe when I am pregnant or nursing. I first noticed that Banana’s were making me sick (about 6years ago- now 34), then linked avocado’s to the “issue”, then most recently got sick just 2 days ago without eating either of those foods… tried to figure out what it was… the only thing I could think of that I don’t normally eat was I had a salad for lunch- made MOSTLY of Spinach! I am thinking it is the spinach- which doing some research on the internet tonight- makes sense. I too have had problems eating eggs.. but now I don’t eat the yolk, just cook the egg white- and usually do much better! I, too, on occasion will TRY a banana or avocado (because I really LOVE them!) only to find the same reaction- truly sad!
An interesting thing for me is- I had an Great Aunt pass away a few years ago- they found NO POTASSIUM in her body AT ALL!!! don’t know if it was the cause of death or not, but just found it interesting…. Maybe some of us just don’t jive too well with high levels of Potassium and our bodies fight it. But, I do think it is important to find other ways to get the potassium. I am going to try the Organic produce- and even try Beano.
Just FYI for all of you…. I was told by a nurse at one time that banana and avocado reactions can be related to a latex allergy… which we all know now, BUT… she said that the actual “latex allergy may become evident not until a much later time.. so be watchful!!! and Good luck. I have added this blog to my favorites to check back on occasion- am interested to see what others have to say. Thanks for all your input. Thought I was alone with this as well…. Good thing is.. I can still eat Banana Bread— YUMMY!!! :)

By Vijay on Apr 13, 2007

I have the same problem since I was ~ 35 years old. Does anybody see a link to allergy to Vitamin A? I never seem to be able to maintain the correct amount of Vitamin A in my system. It is always a little over (cracked lips, hairloss) or a little under (upset stomach).

By Joey on Apr 16, 2007

I had the same problem, I had to stop eating bananas totally. The pain was so bad I swore I wouldn’t eat them again no matter how good they are for you. The pain wasn’t worth it, my wife couldn’t relate to the pain I was in. 31 y/o male, it might have started at age 29. I gave up after trying to blend it with a smoothie and the reaction was the same. Maybe a severe acid buildup ? I can’t think of any other reason.

By Joey on Apr 16, 2007

It might be an acid buildup in the stomach. I notice this same pain not as severe but with Oranges and grapes. I’m fruit intolerant… Sometimes also with watermelon. The only fruit I notice no pain really is cantelope and melon.

By Joey on Apr 16, 2007

“latex-fruit syndrome” Is what they call this condition.

http://foodallergens.ifr.ac.uk/food.lasso?selected_food=5

By chris on Apr 17, 2007

Sweet Holy Mackeral, I just found a club that I can join. I have a relatively steel stomach and can eat anything. I found in my early 20’s that eating raw banana gave me to most painful upset stomach that I’ve ever experienced.

I’ve tried several bananas over the past years. Shortly after eating one I get an intense abdominal pain. This always occurs.

So, naturally, when i saw a banana sitting in the fridge at work last week and I was starving and didn’t bring any lunch in with me i ate it; you knw, because I’m a moron.

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results…

By Jen on Apr 25, 2007

I’m so glad there are others out there! It looks like this banana conversation has been going on for a long time. I’m 30 now, but first noticed my banana-related stomach aches around age 25. I was diagnosed with gastritis, and at the time salad also caused the same pain, but I narrowed it down to the bananas as causing the most gut-wrenching doubled-over pain, so severe it sent me to the ER once. I got over that, but bananas still cause me to have a mild stomach ache, every time. I’m trying to figure out what is the cause but there doesn’t seem to be much out there about this.

By Chele on Apr 26, 2007

Joey! Thank you so much for providing us with the name of “latex-fruit syndrome!” I wonder why even my Allergist never made this connection?? Anyhow, even though I still cannot eat bananas, avocados, raw tomatoes, and nuts in large amounts, I am happy to understand this connection! I have Googled “latex-fruit syndrome,” and there is good info. out there!

Good luck to all who have this!
Chele

By Pauly on Apr 27, 2007

Does anyone else get rapid heartbeat and heart palpitations after eating bannana? Feel sick and sluggish as well. Happens 100% of the time I eat bananna and happens fairly quickly (no stomach pains).

By Sophie on May 10, 2007

Wow, I’m so amazed to find so many other people have banana allergies!
The other day I decided to eat a fresh banana for the first time in several years. I slowly stopped eating them starting from the age of about 12 after they started making me feel a little nauseous. But I never expected the intense stomachache that I recently experienced! It reminded me of period pains, a sort of spasm or muscle clenching feeling (I felt like I needed to vomit, but found it impossible, even if I really tried to). I had to lie down for about 3 hours, and the rest of the day my stomach was really sensitive and I felt quite dizzy. I am never eating a banana again!
A few people have said they get the same with eggs. For a few years in my childhood I got intense pains like this after eating eggs, but these seem to have totally disappeared. Eggs still give me the creeps though.

Interesting to see it’s linked with other fruits like kiwis. As a child I used to get a burning sensation in my mouth after eating kiwis, but I kept eating them because I love kiwis. Looking back I probably shouldn’t have, but I didn’t know much about allergies back then, haha.

By mindi on May 14, 2007

For a long time now, i’ve had a list of foods I cannot eat. Included in that list are:

mushrooms (the white kind)
eggs
bananas
cantelope
avacados
spinach (different feeling, I get what I like to call “peanut butter poo”)

While I don’t care for mushrooms, it’s been a real challenge to avoid the rest of the list and although I don’t always “feel like i’m going to die” after eating the suspect food, it’s generally because I think i’m keeping the GAS-X with Maalox people in business. Today, cantelope was the culprit. I started with mild hearburn creeping up my throat, it quickly turns to a bloated hardening through out my chest, I then feel the desparate need to burp (but can’t) or christ, i’ll suck up my pride right here at work to release any gas (from anywhere!)Then I get terribly tired, sometimes dizzy, and nausea creeps over me. Now mind you, I will avoid things that make me feel this way, but have never understood how I can eat a chili cheeseburger without a single problem, but can’t have a spinach omlett with banana in the morning. I will check out the latex connection but curious if anyone else has the same list of foods they cannot eat!

By Stephanie on May 16, 2007

Like Mindi above, I’ve had a food sensitivities to specific foods for a long time. Twice now I even had to be hospitalized with pancreatitis after eating eggs without realizing it (they are in EVERYTHING). The frustrating thing is that over the years I’ve been having to add more and more food to the list. At this point it’s up to:

bananas
eggs
broccoli
avocado
white mushrooms
pineapple
red peppers

I’ve had every test the gastros knew to do (blood tests, ERCP, hidascan, CT, both endoscopies and more) because they can’t figure out why these foods should cause pancreatitis.
Now here’s the really interesting part, which may be helpful to some of you with the same problem:
drinking a big glass of orange juice (12 ozs or more of the NOT-from-concentrate kind) right when the pain first starts makes it go away. It doesn’t work for me if I drink it before I feel pain, or right when I eat the “bad” food.
I’m very curious if anyone else has tried that before and if it worked. Next time you get that pain, give it a shot; I know I would try almost anything when I’m feeling that bad!
step_mar@yahoo.com

By kate on May 24, 2007

I am so glad I found this website! I also have some sort of allergy to bananas. This started when I was 17 years old, and I am now 20. It was totally out of the blue, I had eaten bananas my whole life with no problem. Then one day, after one banana, I had severe stomach cramps, and just felt horrible all over. Like everyone else though, I can eat banana bread. Then just a month ago, I had a horrible reaction to strawberries. I ate one strawberry and had the same stomach pains, but also threw up and had horrible diarreah. It lasted only an hour, then I was fine again. anyone have those two related allergies?

By sara on May 26, 2007

I too get these weird stomach achey cramps that are like nothing I have ever felt before after eating bananas. I never had problems with bananas before (I am now 20), but the past 2 times I ate a banana I got stomach pains within 10 minutes of eating the banana. Yesterday, I was getting annoyed with myself because I kept snacking, so I figured, why don’t I have a banana, maybe it will make my hunger decrease. And let me tell you, that banana did not disappoint me, but I wasn’t hungry anymore because of the pain that resulted! The cramps were more severe than I last remembered and it lasted for hours! So yesterday’s episode solidfied the fact that I can not eat bananas because they consistently cause stomach cramps.

I really wish I knew exactly why this happens though and if it is indeed an allergic reaction.

By kevin on May 27, 2007

Other people with the weird banana allergy! I’m 32 years old, and use to eat bananas all the time. I had laid off eating bananas for awhile (no particular reason), but then tried eating one about 6 months ago. I was then hit with tremendous stomach cramps. I then tried another banana a few days later and got the same result.

I’ve never really been allergic to anything. As I get older though I have started to develop some seasonal allergies that I never had before. Maybe my banana allergy is just a sign of me getting older.

By Connie on Jun 1, 2007

The banana/avocado nightmare is not age related!! Last fall at age 47 I got violently ill from eating a banana. I had eaten almost l per day for 3 decades prior to this incident! A few weeks later I ate some avocado with same reaction.
My reaction sounds more severe than some of you. Horrible stomach pain, nausea, explosive watery stools and drenched in sweat!!!!
How can a person all of a sudden get so sick from eating something you have eaten for 30 years with out a problem?
I have read that if you have more of the G.I problem instead of respitory, it could be a food intolerance instead of an allergy.
I am going to get to the bottom of this!!!!

By brandi on Jun 7, 2007

I have been trying to look things up and no hope. I eat a banana (raw) and burp every couple minutes and feel heartburn or acid reflux or something. bananas are supposed to be so good for you. and I’m 23. does this have anything to do with drinkers? I drink frequently but not the past couple days and I had a banana this afternoon. Maybe drinking wears down the stomache so that something in the banana causes this? and I’ve been going through a lot of stress also.

By brandi on Jun 7, 2007

THE CURE
THE CURE
THe CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pretty sure…

ok, here’s my theory. info I found online.
http://waltonfeed.com/self/health/vit-min/potnsalt.html
Its about potassium and salt balance. Even though its uncommon, which may be why we are all having trouble finding solutions, we may all have too much potassium and not enough salt. The cramps are probably gas thats blocked in your stomach building up, a sign of to much K. I’ve been on the verge of tears from such, I understand the pain. The burpers (which is me) are letting the constant gas out. The babies get upset from gas pain but I also think too much potassium affects your mood and makes you irritable (saw something about it on another site). I had a banana around 4pm today and its almost midnight and my stomache was upsetting me and I was constantly burping, but I had a small glass of warm salt water and I’m feeling much better. So maybe we’re the health freaks (our only common denominator) and are the few that actually don’t eat enough salt. The foods high in potassium were what everyone complained about, and I think banana bread didn’t bother anyone because it contains enough salt in it. There is a list of foods containing a lot of potassium and I’m sure this group eats a lot of them. The recommened daily amount for potassium is 2,000 and most of the foods we eat would get us past that amount just from breakfast. and fyi, : )I finally stopped burping, I just realized I went 10 minutes with no burping where before it was many times a minute. So, really, try the warm-saltwater. Let me know if this helps!

By wp on Jun 11, 2007

Thanks everyone for all the posts! As a fellow banana intolerance sufferer, I will add my little bit here. My banana stomachaches started in my mid-20s (I’m 43 now). You all have described the feeling so precisely! That kicked-in-the-gut, awful pain.
Like most of you, I’ve found that I can eat cooked bananas with no problems. (Try them grilled… yum!) If I am feeling daring, I’ve found can also eat a raw banana without problems if it is organic and perfectly ripe — no green bits and no brown bits. I also have allergies to ragweed (causes hayfever) and kiwi (causes itching and edema) but have never observed any issues with latex, cantaloupe or avocado (knock on wood).
I am skeptical about potassium being the culprit here since potassium is found in so many foods. It seems more likely that it is an enzyme that we cannot digest properly and that the gassing somehow makes it worse, maybe in bypassing some important step in the natural ripening process? It somehow makes sense that fruit picked too green would make your stomach hurt….
My father also had the banana stomachaches, and I’ve met several other people who have it. Reading all these posts, I wonder if this is more common than we think!
It would be interesting also to look at what our various ethnic/genetic backgrounds are… FWIW, mine is Northern European (eg, freckly white person!). In other words, my ancestors are from a place where bananas were not available. So I may have them to thank for my banana indigestion?

By martin on Jul 1, 2007

Hey thanks Brandi,

I like your theory. I’ll test it out and tell you what I find.

And yes, it does look like we are all health freaks.

Thanks a lot!

By Maribel on Jul 2, 2007

Tonight has been the worst ever !!! I regret eating that banana !!! The pain is unbeareable and the bloating makes me look as if I was having a baby. The pain is high up on my stomach and it feels like I got kicked and punched. I started thinking about all the things I have eaten when I get this horrific pain with the bloating, nausea, chills, sweating and feeling like my insides are being twisted into a knot. I was sitting in the bathroom thinking I was going to literally pass out because I also got so dizzy, I guess from the pain. I had kidney stones and I’ve delivered 3 kids and nothing compares to this. Well, I came to the conclusion that it must be the bananas. It has to be I ate dinner hrs ago and I felt the urge to snack. Watching my calories I grab a banana that was calling out my name and bang, 20 minutes later I feel like i’m being torchered. Nothing happens with anything else except, fresh pineapple. It makes me cough and wheeze and triggers my asthma which is allergy related. It makes me feel like my throat is closing and I get itchy in my mouth, throat and lips. Not to mention that it makes me cough like crazy. Yet, no problem to the canned pineapple.
I also looked up in the internet and nothing and this here is the only thing I found to convince me it has to be an allergy. I ate them all my life with no problems. Eaten them even green, boiled with cod fish and nothing. Banana bread and nothing. Smoothies with bananas make me wanna throw up though. Oh yeah, papaya shakes make me hiccup somethng aweful, also. I’m turning 36 this month and this problem started about 1 yr ago. I really hope we can all find the reason behind this because it’s crazy.

By *margie* on Jul 3, 2007

OK, I know that the original post is pretty old, but it is seriously the only thing I could find online about this banana issue – I, too, am a banana lover and suffer from this intense, excruciating pain. Anyway, after reading all these comments, I just (like yesterday) switched to organic bananas – which surprisingly, aren’t that expensive… I’m still testing this theory, however, I had 2 bananas yesterday, and one so far today and have had NO PAIN!!! Maybe it really is the ripening chemicals (or other pesticides) that are ripping all of our stomaches apart??? Give it a shot – I’d like to see if organic works for anyone else.

By Chele on Jul 7, 2007

I have posted here a couple of time regarding my banana, raw tomato, avocado, nuts & egg stomach pain woes. A while back, someone mentioned latex-fruit syndrome. I have cut and pasted some information below:

Proteins very similar to the allergy-causing proteins present in latex (a plant sap) are present in other plants, and some of these are foods. For example, a latex-allergic person may have a reaction if they eat a banana; this is then known as a cross-reaction. It is caused when there is a very close structural similarity between the two similar proteins due to the sequence of their amino acid building blocks.

Amino acid sequence in banana allergen:
E Q C G R O A G G A L C P G G L C C S Q Y G W C G N T D P
Amino acid sequence in latex allergen
E Q C G R O A G G K L C P N N L C C S Q W G W C G S T D E

Although symptoms are normally fairly mild, in theory (and very occasionally in practice) these foods can cause anaphylaxis in a latex allergic person. Other foods that have been found capable of causing these cross-reactions in latex-sensitive people are shown below. The resulting condition is known as latex fruit syndromeR and a very similar condition is called the pollen fruit syndrome in which the cross-reaction is between the food (certain fresh fruits and raw vegetables) and the pollen. Collectively these conditions form the oral allergy syndrome, as mouth symptoms are the most common manifestations of the problem.

Foods that have ever caused symptoms should be avoided. If any of the foods listed below (the commonest are shown in bold type) are known not to cause symptoms, they need not be avoided, but sufferers need to be aware that the food could start causing symptoms at some time in the future, and avoid it once this is suspected.

latex fruit syndrome
cross-reacting foods

rubber latex
almond, apple, apricot, avocado, banana, raw carrot, raw celery, chestnut, cherry, dill, fig, ginger, kiwi, mango, melon, oregano, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pear, plum, raw potato, sage, raw tomato

Also:

Banana allergy can take two different forms: one associated with allergy to tree pollen, such as birch, and another type associated with latex allergy. People with birch-pollen allergy can develop symptoms either immediately or up to 1 hour after eating fresh banana or a banana-containing food. Symptoms comprise local reactions in the mouth and throat with itching and inflammation (called oral allergy syndrome, OAS).
Others develop banana allergy because of the similarity between the allergens in banana and natural rubber latex (e.g. gloves, condoms, balloons) a condition known as the latex-fruit syndrome. Symptoms developed by these individuals comprise generalised urticaria, abdominal pain, vomiting and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. These individuals often develop adverse reactions to chestnut, avocado, mango and kiwi.

When these fruits and vegetables are cooked, the compositions changes, and usually the food is tolerated… I have found this out, and I have read that many of you can eat these foods when cooked.

Good luck to all!
Chele

By Scot on Jul 14, 2007

Just some thoughts … as many on this post, I became stomach cramp allergic to bananas around age 21 and am now 43. Every 5 years or so I get a big fat banana split and see what happens. Stomach cramps every time, but I sure enjoy the banana splits. My brother has had stomach cramps for years, but not related to any one thing. He has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease (see celiac.org). It is a genetic thing that can show up at any time or never at all and 1 in 133 folks have it. To avoid repetition of information, I’ll just say that it can cause so many problems across the board, mainly with vitamin and nutrient absorption. My only cramping comes from bananas and the occasional way too much cantaloupe (minor cramps). Since this disease is hereditary, I am going to get tested and have my daughter tested. I’ll re-post when that’s done. This disease requires the complete removal of all wheat, rye, barley, etc … basically gluten free. Not fun at all, but it’s said that this will eliminate any and all effects of said disease. If positive, I’ll attempt the gluten free thing and see if banana belly goes away. Of course, it’s been about 4 years since I’ve tested for banana belly, so I’ll do that first and make sure it’s still there. Read up on celiac disease at the address I provided and see if it just might be your issue … fairly common and a simple blood test will rule you out. It can cause very bad things down the road. I’ll post again when I have more information on my test, etc. Oh … cooked bananas seem OK and dehydrated one are also OK with me. Make sense?

By Mel on Jul 16, 2007

I’m amazed to find so many people have this problem that I thought was really obscure. I haven’t eaten a banana for over 20 years because of the crippling abdominal pain and am so paranoid that I won’t knowingly eat anything containing bananas. My last bout was after drinking a banana daiquiri which didn’t even have fresh fruit in it, just banana liqueur!

Like so many of you, the problem developed in my 20s, having had no problems before that. I just sort of assumed that I can’t digest bananas properly anymore as it appears to be trapped wind, albeit of the most painful kind. I have no allergies or intolerance to other foods although I don’t particularly like avocado so I avoid that anyway. Tomatoes and nuts are fine.

My sister has also developed the problem so it seems there is something hereditary here.

I had also made the link with potassium – about 7 years ago, I was in the hospital for an operation and my blood pressure was extremely low, so they attempted to inject potassium directly into my blood stream. The pain was so intense that they had to give up and gave it to me orally instead. Also horrible but it didn’t make me scream. (I don’t actually remember much of this as I was on a morphine drip at the time!) I’ve never really figured out how it ties up with bananas other than the fact that I know banana contains lots of potassium.

By Chele on Jul 16, 2007

I too am gluten free; however, I still cannot eat the bananas, avocados, raw tomatoes and on… I’m still sticking with the “latex-fruit syndrome” that I have posted above.

I did do some further reading, and, as folks here mentioned, the organic bananas are better tolerated. I don’t dare try! I just feel too GREAT now, and I don’t see the need to experiment anymore.

Best to all,
Chele

By *margie* on Jul 16, 2007

ORGANIC IS THE WAY!!!! YEAH!!!
Two weeks of banana heaven (2 a day) and NO PAIN!!!! Now keep in mind, I have no other food related pains/latex issues. Bananas were the ONLY problem for me and now I am cured! No more strawberry-banana smoothies at the mall, but I can enjoy as many as I want at home!!!! ORGANIC BANANAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!!! :) Hopefully this works for some of you out there. I couldn’t imagine life without bananas! :) Good luck to you all! I’m off to enjoy a banana!!!(Finally!!)

By Aaron Levesque on Jul 17, 2007

I also get bad stomach aches everytime I eat a banana. Some updated information!! I have heard, though not tested the theory as I am scared of the terrible stomach aches bananas have caused me, but apparently non-organic bananas have high concentrations of pesticides sprayed on them. Perhaps it is the pesticides that people are allergic to and not the bananas themselves. I have a friend who had the same problem and since has been eating organic bananas with no stomach aches. I am considering trying myself. Let me know if it works for anybody else.

By Lynn on Jul 18, 2007

This might not help anyone but I’m extremely disapointed and have to share. I have a lot of allergies, wheat, soy, pollens, animals, medications….I’ve even had anaphalaxis reactions (scarey). Bananas were one of the first things I had trouble with as a child. I had the oral allergy thing going on, itchy mouth/throat, swollen lips, stuffy nose, etc. I’ve avoided them like the plaque. I decided a few weeks ago to try one. I was in heaven….no problem what so ever. I started with 1/2 then worked up to a whole one. I started noticing about two weeks later having a sick stomach. Didn’t pay attention until one day I had two bananas within a few hours of each other. I had such severe stomach cramping and pain like I’ve never had in my life (I’m 50)I also became stuffy and a little wheezy. I was in denial, so I had another one the next day and was really sick, then again the next day…same thing. So I have now gone back to being banana free.

I am interested in the idea of similiar proteins of things. I have found if I stay away from wheat, all of my other allergies are really manageable, if I eat things I shouldn’t, I end up with asthma attacks and all kinds of problem. I have to use inhalers, and a variety of antihistimes to control it. When I stay away from wheat, I don’t need to use anything for weeks on end.

Medication is another thing….it seems like once I had a reaction to one pain killer (narcotic), whenever I try a new one, just after few days I have to stop (I have physical issues that require pain management). Now I’ve started to have reactions to other things. Over the last few months I’ve reacted to 2 perscription anti-inflamatories, a muscle relaxant, and an antibiotic. I believe there must be some inert ingrediant in these things that I’m reacting too and not really the actual medication, but I’m not sure how to go about figuring it out or who to ask. If anyone has any ideas, that would be great.
Thanks to Kevin for allowing this blog to continue, it really helped me to realize bananas are bad for me.

By grubgal on Jul 21, 2007

I had a banana last night, didn’t think anything of it. But I did notice that the bananas that were bright green less than 24 hours earlier were now on the verge of being overly ripe. I usually like my bananas on the green side, so I hesitated, but went ahead and ate it. Gradually over the next 1-2 hours I started to develop a very sickly feeling in my lower stomach. Then all out pain and nausea. Then suddenly I realized that I had felt this way once before a few months back, after I had eaten a banana. So obviously there is some correlation there. I have no other problems with food. In fact I am nicknamed “the iron gut”, because I can eat anything. Since I noticed how quickly this last banana ripened I’m going to explore the ethylene gas theory. It may be hard to find organic bananas where I live, but as soon as I do I am going to have one and see what happens. I’ll post my results. Glad to see I am not alone, but it’s weird that this is the only website that I could find where anyone was mentioning this whole banana making me ill thing.

By Jen on Jul 23, 2007

This is the first time I’ve heard of others having the same banana problem I have. When I was 24 and pregnant with my first baby, I ate at least 1 or 2 bananas a day. Probably before my pregnancy I’d eat 1 or 2 a week. After my baby was born I couldn’t eat a banana without getting the awful cramping (aside from that banana bread is no problem). I’m 38 and I still can’t eat them. My only other food “thing” is that too much dairy does me in- a little cream in my coffee and cheese pizza are OK, but more than that is painful. And that happened after my pregnancy too. Latex and avocados are fine. But I will be checking into the organic bananas. Especially as my youngest- 7 years old- is the banana queen. I’d hate for her to get the same thing. I’m also of northern european descent- interesting theory someone had there.

By dabo on Aug 1, 2007

Everybody here seems to have a problem with eating bananas.

Doesn’t is puzzle you that bananas are considered to be GOOD for the health, and especially good for the stomach and the whole digestive system?

The problem might be due to misunderstanding.

First question would be:

How do you eat your bananas – mixed with other food, as a desert, or alone?

By valerie on Aug 2, 2007

I too have the dreaded banana problem. I also have trouble with cantalope, nectarine, peach, avacado, cherries. Anyone else have problems with those too. Usually I just avoid these foods. I have found that Alka-Seltzer helps dull the pain and sometimes gets rid of it completely.
I’m going to try organic when I get up the nerve, I haven’t eaten a banana in years because it is just too painful.
Good luck everyone

By purple_kangaroo on Aug 6, 2007

My baby daughter gets GI symptoms from bananas. There’s lots of interesting information in this thread, but there are a few factors nobody has mentioned:

* Bananas, broccoli and several of the other foods that were mentioned are high in amines. Some of you might want to look into an amine and/or salycilate sensitivity. This could go along with the MSG problems that have been mentioned also.

* Even organic bananas can be gassed. But the gasses can be derived from different things. Most ethylene gas is derived from sulfite-treated corn, which can be a problem for people with corn or sulfite senitivities. In the Delphi Corn Avoiders Forum I frequent, many people find that they can tolerate some brands of bananas but not others. Many can eat Chiquita bananas just fine, but Dole bananas make them sick every time. (this is as of early 2007–of course, companies can change their practices over time.

* For those who have issues with eggs, be aware that eggs can be treated with various chemicals, the chickens can be fed substances to make the yolks yellow that cause some people problems, and some folks react to what the hens were fed.

* For those who have GI issues with many different fruits, vegetables or even grains, you may want to look into sugar malabsorption. Sucrose, sorbitol and fructose are a few (along with lactose) that can cause symptoms of intolerance.

By Blake on Aug 10, 2007

All I can say is that “Thank God” for Google. I’m completely in shock right now because I feel so relieved to know that I’m not alone on this. For about 2 years now, I’ve been trying to pinpoint whether I have a problem with bananas or not.

I am not sure when this all started (because in college I didn’t eat many bananas), but I’ve been getting bad stomach cramps and feeling nausea from eating bananas of the morning at work. I used to think it was the Soy Protein shake that I had in the mornings, but that theory soon changed. I noticed that I get very irritable and my throat becomes sore after eating bananas.

I have had similar issues with eating guacamole, but I wasn’t sure if it was the onions (or large portions that made me ill). Now, I’m starting to think that the Avocado is the true problem behind my stomach cramps.

I’ll try out organic bananas, and I’ll see if I experience similar symptoms. For 20 years, I used to eat bananas religiously, and I’m not sure why all of the sudden I can’t.

Are there any doctors reading this who might be able to explain this to us?

By Jim on Aug 16, 2007

Amazing that there are so many of us suffering the same stomach cramp banana related misery and that this link began in 2004 and gets readily updated. I find it similarly amazing that no-one in the medical world has hit upon the issues because it is clear that there is a problem here. I also suffer with shell fish which can bring me out in hives. I also first discovered the banana problem in my early twenties. Does anyone know of an alternative to banana that I can incorporate in my weight loss plan as all the diets say eat the dreaded yellow curse!

By Sheryl on Aug 18, 2007

I also developed this problem with bananas when I was in my late twenties. I would get severe stomach cramps when I ate bananas, terrible pains that seemed to make my bones even ache. I hated it because I love bananas. A lot of times when I didn’t have time to eat a meal, one banana would hold me and make me feel full. A few years after the onset of this, I noticed that I was suddenly having the same problem with cantelope. If I eat cooked bananas in breads or pudding, it does not happen. I am wondering if bananas are gaseous and cooking takes it out. Tomatoes are higher in potassium than bananas and I don’t get those cramps from tomatoes, so I don’t think it is potassium. What gives?

By Cat on Aug 18, 2007

I can’t believe I finally found information on this!! Ditto to the bananas and (recently discovered) avocados. As with others, I had no problem with these foods until around 19 or 20, and I’m now 29. I just find it so strange that there is not more out there about this…
Bookmarking this now with the hopes that someone’s doctor has a good explanation.
Thanks SO much!!

By Marcus on Sep 15, 2007

I was starting to think that I was the only one. The last time I ate a banana was 1 year ago. I actually went to the emergency room the complaints of severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, chills, sweating, you name it…I was feeling ill right “down to the the bone”. Me being a former nurse, and navy hospital corpsman, I remembered one of the key symtomatic treatments for reflux (heart burn) It’s called a GI cocktail (mixture of liquid antacid, and viscous lidocaine)I thought to myself…the hell with waiting here in the E.R for treatment. I dashed to the local store and fixed the cocktail right in the store, even before getting to the counter to pay for it. The stomach pain was gone instantly, however I had no sensation in my tounge, mouth, or esophagus. I tried to drink a cup of water and damn near drowned myself. I’m more like Sheryl here…cooking the banana, or eating banana chips (dehydrated bananas) are fine, and have no negative effects.

By Paul on Sep 15, 2007

I am 27 and realized about a year ago that I had a problem eating bananas. About an hour after eating one I will get a stomach ache. I have no other allergies that I know of. I love bananas and used to eat them two at a time. My aunt had some on the counter and I was curious to see if it would bother me…So I ate the smallest one and sure enough it got to me.
I don’t eat avocados cause I don’t like the taste so I don’t know if they would bother me.
Also, my wife and I shared a whole cantoloupe the other day so I know I don’t have a problem with that.

By Mary on Sep 21, 2007

I spent the last 2 hours with severe stomach cramps after “over” eating banana chips. It appears I have an allergy…NO FUN.

By Sonya on Sep 24, 2007

I can’t believe Ive found loads of other people with the same problem as me, when Ive told people abount my banana issue theyve looked at me like Ive lost the plot!! Im fine with banana cake (so must be ok when theyve been cooked!!) but I love bananas , its one of the fruit I could eat tons of and I miss them sooooo much, am contemplating organic ones after reading the info on this page! Ive scoured Google for medical info on this problem and this is the only place Ive come accross with any other people sharing the same problem. Ive been to my GP who said, “Dont eat banana’s then!” Would like to pin point the issue that causes the abdominal pain from eating banana’s, maybe then I could find a way of eating them without the disasterous consequences!!!

By Shannon on Sep 25, 2007

Oh my gosh. I am so glad I found this! I can’t believe it, but I, too, have an issue with bananas. I also think I have an issue with avocado…I got sick the last time I had avocado spread on my sandwich and just thought I got bad lunch meat. For months I’ve been thinking that it’s an allergy to blueberries. I didn’t really think about it, but I had blueberries WITH bananas when I’ve gotten sick. Other times I’ve gotten sick are with cantaloupe (and I’ve had cantaloupe with blueberries). Little did I know it could be the cantaloupe and bananas, not the blueberries. I’m so scared of blueberries, I’m afraid to try them. I am even afraid of trying organic bananas, but some people on here are giving me hope. Also, broccoli and eggs really bother me now. Dairy products have also fallen out of favor with me.

The pain I get is in the upper part of my abdomen. It is a sharp, continuous, gas pain almost. I can’t describe it. It hurts like heck. I feel like so much gas gets trapped in my abdomen and it’s unbearable. I have went to the ER twice, but they can’t find anything.

I am also investigating small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). I am wondering if this has something to do with why I’m becoming unable to tolerate sugars and fibers in certain things.

I am going to keep checking back here. I am so relieved to find some answers…or at least a new direction in my search for wellness. :)

By Jackie on Oct 11, 2007

Last night was the second time I had an “attack” from eating avocado and it was severe. I didn’t realize so many other people have the same issue. I would really like to know why. Corn is bad one for me also. A few years ago I went to ER and they called the surgeon to remove my gallbladder, thinking I was having a gallbladder attack. I was dehydrated and couldn’t keep anything from passing right through me and severe cramping. It ended up not being gallbladder. However, I was able to figure it out myself – it was from eating doritos which led me to realize I had issues with corn. A bologna sandwich triggered the attack – corn syrup was one of the ingredients in the bologna. I do find it strange though, that I can eat cooked corn with no problem.

By Aly on Oct 20, 2007

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to look up my problem on the net. I’m so glad that i’m not alone! I’ve always been able to eat bananas. Then 12 years ago when breastfeeding my first child i noticed that my having eaten a banana would make him vomit (he doesn’t have a problem now). Then i found that during subsequent pregnancies i would have to avoid bananas but could eat them afterwards. However, for the past 6 months i cannot even have one bite of a banana without the sever cramps and nausea which lasts a few hours. I’ve also had to avoid eating beef stroganoff (mushrooms?) and a chicken dish which contains capsicums.I’m 35 and this has just gotten worse in the last half a year. I don’t have any allergies to anything as far as i know!

By tracey on Oct 29, 2007

yup, i have banana belly as well. i was pleasantly surprised that i could still eat banana bread though. someone else had mentioned hypo-glycemia much earlier…this common to anyone else? also wanted to know if anyone did anymore research on cyliac. i had a friend recommend i get tested. thanks!

By Edison on Nov 20, 2007

I’ve recently added beef and bananas to my diet for bodybuilding (recommended by my brother who does the same thing). At first I thought it was the beef giving me these cramps but now I just woke up and had a banana-only breakfast (Actually, I ate just half of one) and I got these cramps. I guess I’ll try eating less and less to see how many I can tolerate.

By Erin on Nov 21, 2007

i love that i’m not the only one with these problems. here’s a list of foods that bother me: eggs, cantaloupe, watermelon, bananas, plums, and more recently tomatoes. I get severe stomach pains that make me want to go to sleep while the pain passes because it’s so bad. Green apples occasionally make me feel like my throat is closing up, too. It’s basically when the foods are uncooked and raw. I mentioned all of this to my doctor and she basically said “don’t eat them then”. Hopefully people will become more aware of these food problems and find connections and solutions to them because I miss my favorite foods!

By Loren on Nov 29, 2007

I did not read all the posts but there certainly seems to be a theme.

My daughter had similar issues. She loved foods that became what we termed allergies even foods she had not problem eating during previous months.

We did a lot of research and talked with some doctors. Only one doctor was of much help and he suggested the what I will describe below. For others that are in serious condition with a small list of foods they can now eat there are a few other steps to add nutrition elements which are missing in your diet.

I suggest that those whom seem to be having increasingly more foods that you cannot eat that you use to eat do the following.

Take a probiotic with psylium fiber on an empty stomach. Best taken before bed. Do this every night for a week or two. This process should be done every few months and especially after taking any antibiotics.

The second thing to do is take fish oil. Find a brand and taste that you can stomach. To find a good one you add the EPA and DHA numbers. You will want a daily dose of 2000-3000. For several moths you will want to be in the 3000 range and a maintenance dose of 1200-2000 daily. You may need to start out the first few days with only a teaspoon to get your system use to it. I suggest you stay away from capsules.

By LK on Dec 5, 2007

i cant believe this either. i get awful stomach pains after bananas and most recently eggs. most paticularly, egg beaters. i am going to my gp in the morning but i bet he’ll say quit eating them. any word on if we all have fishy gallbladders? i doubt it.

By paul atkinson on Dec 21, 2007

i have the same problem with bananas mushrooms peppers and eggs.i get bad cramps and servere bloating and it can last for hours.The only thing that can releave it for me is a product called andrews acid which is a white powder you add to water which fizzes,you then drink it and it calms the pain after a few minutes.My docter recons that it is my stomach causing to much acid when eating these foods which gives us this reaction.It is a cross between potasium and acid which causes this.

By Frank on Jan 10, 2008

I also get a banana “reaction” and it began in my twenties. In my case I believe it to be potassium related because the only other time I get this reaction is when I drink Gatorade. Could be a combination of the potassium and some other chemical in the stomach as we get older.

By Jules on Jan 17, 2008

I am 31 and just ate a banana for breakfast and about 25 minutes later I am having INTENSE stomach cramps. Ugh I guess I will go and lay down and take some pepto bismal. If I decide to try bananas again I will certainly buy organic. About 2 months ago I ate an organic one with no problems what so ever. I think I can’t tolerate bananas on an empty stomach as some previous posters mentioned. Good luck Banana friends!

By Alex on Jan 25, 2008

Oh man. I had a banana this morning (empty stomach) and it took about an hour before anything started really happening. I have some intense pain right now in my stomach! I’m a bio engineer and I plan to do a research project on this within the next 2 or so years. I’m tired of people just saying “then just don’t eat bananas” I need to know why! And then I can engineer a banana thats allergy free.

By Jessica on Feb 5, 2008

Im so glad i found this on the web. All this time it was bananas? I started eating bananas a week ago, once in the morning and once after work. as soon as i got to work i started getting cramps..almost like hearthburn feeling but in the midsection. anyways.. i also coincidentally started fiber pills the same time i started my banana regiment and thought that was the culprit. i’ll be damn.. my sister just told me that bananas are a natural laxative.

By Callie on Feb 13, 2008

Did anyone else notice the comment posted by: Puba at March 21, 2005 9:50 AM? (Just do a word search to find it on this page.)

I’ve noticed this happening to the bananas that we’ve been buying lately. About a month or two ago, I got in to a sort of banana groove – they taste so great on honey nut cheerios (or any cereal, for that matter) and it was the perfect way to start my morning off with fruit. For a while, things were good. But then I started to get pains in my upper abdominal area (like right between my rib cage). At first I thought it was the coffee, which tends to be a little strong and acidic in our house. But then there were days where I didn’t even have coffee, but I still had a banana and my stomach hurt.

This afternoon I had one for lunch and the pains came back. They’re not “severe” like some people have been describing. But its definitely not normal. I typed in “banana stomach pains” in google, and I got a bunch of sites that say bananas are suppose to soothe stomach pains. So then I typed in “banana cause upset stomach” and found this website.

I don’t think it means that we’re all allergic to bananas. I just think that (as with anything) if you have too many, you’ll get sick.

Plus this comment posted by: Puba at March 21, 2005 9:50 AM — says a lot. I don’t think its a coincidence. Gassing of any kind is not good.

By Ashley on Feb 13, 2008

I have been having the same problem with bananas.
And like many others who have posted, I can only find info saying that bananas are supposed to sooth your stomach! WTF?!!

I really believe I have developed some type of allergy to bananas. I ate them all the time growing up, but when I turned 20 (I’m 21 now) I got sick after eating them. I used to eat them every other day, but I just can’t anymore. I’ve been trying to make smoothies with them instead of just eating them, and it seemed ok for a few days. But, now…after eating one or having a smoothie I get intense stomach pain at the top of my stomach. It feels like I swallowed a baseball. LOL
And, my throat feels irritated. It feels like it’s tightening a little.
This is very strange.
I like bananas, but I won’t be eating them anymore, or making smoothies with them. The pain and discomfort just isn’t worth it.

By t on Feb 14, 2008

mine started at 19 I used to eat bananas as a child but at 19 it started to bother me I couldnt believe it at first but then I realized that it was bananas its crazy

By rachel on Feb 19, 2008

I’m 24 and for the last 6 months I cannot eat bananas either, same upper abdominal pain as most of you! I have tried taking Beano right before I eat an organic banana and that seems to help, but without the beano I’m in agonizing pain!!! Organic bananas alone still cause pain though. When I tell people they think I’m crazy, even my doctor! We need to find out what causes this!

By cara on Feb 20, 2008

I also have had the same problem (intense upper stomach cramping after eating uncooked bananas). I’ve isolated the problem since my early 20s, at least. I had similar problems as a child (strong stomach cramping after certain foods). When I was a kid it was never really determined which foods caused this cramping – it could have always been bananas, although I don’t remember eating them very often as I didn’t like them much then. I bought some organic bananas for my husband and had one just now (it was ripe) in a smoothie (on an empty stomach) – and now I’m having severe cramps once again. So I don’t think it could be a chemical that is sprayed on the bananas now, unless my organic banana somehow got contaminated (not very likely!).

I have noticed that if I eat bananas on a somewhat full stomach, they don’t seem to bother me as often. It’s not all the time, too, that they bother me, and I wonder if it’s a certain brand or origin of a banana that has a chemical in it that causes these symptoms. In general I avoid them because of these problems. It’s interesting that all of us have the same symptoms – I’ve never met anyone else who has this problem. I also get this bad stomachache sometimes (not always) after eating canteloupe, avocado, and kiwi.

By Jud on Feb 21, 2008

I am 46 years old and have eaten and loved bananas all my life. This past Monday I had a turkey sandwich, some cauliflower and a banana, and about 20 minutes later was doubled over in agony. I thought the sliced turkey was bad as the cramping/burning feeling was soon accompanied by the other messy dreaded GI symptom. I took some tums and went to bed for a coupel of hours and when I woke up, I felt a lot better. Yesterday I had a can of chunky soup and a banana for lunch, and guess what!!! It was’nt as bad as Monday, more like bad indigestion, but very unpleasant. Well I hadn’t really put two and two together, so today my lunch consisted of of a ham sandwich, an orange and, you guessed it, a banana. Well, I’m sitting here in a lot of dicomfort (worse than yesterday, not as bad as Monday)and it suddenly dawned on me that it was the dang bananas. I did a google search and, voila, I find this site and discover this is not real uncommon. I’m a daring soul, so I’m gonna give the organic thing a shot and I’ll let you know what happens. It’s just so strange how suddenly this has occured.

By Wink on Feb 21, 2008

I’m 47 and about 6 weeks ago, started eating a banana every day. Yesterday left work early with severe stomach cramps and again today. I realized it was after eating a banana. The thing is that these are organic bananas I got from Trader Joe’s. Has anyone who tried the organics still having problems?

By Barb on Feb 26, 2008

I have been baffled by this for years. As with many, it started in my 20s. Had loved bananas all my life until then. It feels like someone is stabbing just under the sternum with a knife. Here’s the sad thing. I ate a Macintosh apple today and had the exact same reaction. No bananas, now no apples. Anyone else out there have a problem with apples? Does anyone know what causes this? My doctor doesn’t even know.

By rachel on Feb 27, 2008

I haven’t had any pains yet with apples, but I do get pains sometimes with pears and melon. I’m starting to fear all fruit!

By Todd on Mar 4, 2008

Just ate a green banana and got terrable cramps. Found this, just under another site that said there was too much starch in a green banana and it would cause the cramps, something about, the sugar had not developed, in the ripening proccess, I have no problems with a yellow… yet. Also I found several years ago that I can not eat raw apples, carrots, celery, peaches and some other fruit and vegetables without getting itching in my mouth and severe stomach pains, that subside within an hour. Strawberries, oranges, mango and leafy greens are no problem, oh and bananas till today. I am 33 and it started when I was 23-ish. Allergist years ago said that they had talked about this allergy, industry wide at seminars and had no reason for a cause yet, but said it was gaining For me cooking, blanching or steaming any of theses work for me.

By Mindi on Mar 7, 2008

I have had to add PEAR to my list. Man, last night was not fun. Heartburn gas pain, BACK pain, nausea, sleepiness, general horrible pain.
I found this site, RE food latex syndrom.
http://dmd.nihs.go.jp/latex/cross-e.html
I categorized the “suspect” foods from their list but feel like the absolute trigger foods don’t seem like enought to say I have this Latex Food Syndrome:

Absolutely
mushroom
banana
avocado
cantaloupe
pear
bell pepper

Sometimes / Unsure
kiwi
mango
cherry
coconut
peach
peanut
pineapple
apple
papaya
passion fruit
chestnut
apricot
loquat
buckwheat
peppermint
bamboo shoot

Never
potato
tomato
grapefruit
walnut
carrot
lettuce
almond
fig
soybean
orange
celery
mustard
nectarine
strawberry
pepper
watermelon

By Bertha on Mar 11, 2008

Oh man! I am so happy to have found this! I feel I don’t have a lot to add to the already plentiful comments but I’m so glad it’s not just me. The pain I get from avacados and bananas doesn’t sound as severe as some–mine is more of a mild discomfort with mild to medium cramping. It’s kind of like my body feels likes it’s revving up for major gastrointestinal problems but it just sort of plateaus at annoyance with pain, if that makes any sense. The other food that does this to me is fresh mushrooms (never canned, only fresh. sort of liked raw banana vs. cooked banana).

One I haven’t seen listed here that gives me almost the exact same pain is HONEY. I know that babies shouldn’t eat honey due to botulism spores, but it is odd that it’s the same pain as bananas, mushrooms, kiwi, and avacado. The other strange part that I don’t think I’ve seen mentioned? All of these tummy issues are coupled with slight inner ear pain/itchiness. Is that part just me? Please someone tell me that they can now think back and realize that bananas make their ears hurt too!

I’m off to investigate this latex allergy connection. Thanks so much you guys.

By Tama on Mar 18, 2008

I’m so glad to have found this site. I’ve suffered from VERY severe stomach pains after eating bananas for years now and my Dr. doesn’t know what this could be. I do not suffer from any other symptoms like the itching throat, etc. and do not notice the problem with kiwi, avocado, or canteloupe. It has been years since I narrowed it down to the banana and like many of you, I ate them allmy life until my late 30’s before I noticed any problems. I do recall, however, eating a banana while on a trip in Hawaii that was direct from one of the farms and did not have a problem. I really love them and wish I could eat them – so much in fact I try every couple of years or so – tried the other day, like clockwork within one hour I was doubled over in pain, could barely breath for about 2 hours. I think I’ll try the organic bananas, and even the beano to see if that works. Thanks for all the comments. I hope someone figures out what this really is all about.

By Jeanne on Mar 21, 2008

This is soooo crazy. I have been experiencing this since I was 16, but it’s totally weird because bananas are the only thing that gives me cramps like this. And the strange thing is, I’ve read about banana allergies and I don’t seem to fit the symptoms for what I’ve seen because the only thing I experience is very intense stomach pain. I don’t experience any rashes or itching and I’m also totally fine with avacados and other birch-related fruits.

So I want to know. What’s up with my banana problem! Why is there such a limited supply of information on this?

By the way, I think everyone who posts here should post the YEAR when they developed their problem, just in case it’s the chemicals they’re using on bananas. It could be interesting.

I developed my allergy in 1996.

By Mandy on Mar 23, 2008

I am 26. Had the stomach aches back in grade 6. I can not eat banana’s but there is also a list of other things I can not eat. The pain in my stomach/rib area is bad, and I also have the sweats. I find if the fruits and veggies are cooked I only sometimes end up in pain.

Banana’s
broccoli
califlower
pineapple
red and green peppers
oatmeal
pears
melon

By David on Mar 23, 2008

I knew it… I couldn’t be the only one. And my mom says it is a “mind problem”…

It is a horrible pain. The other day I ate like TWO LITTLE SLICES of banana on a pie (then I realized it was a banana pie ¬_¬ ) and I got the pain for about an hour :(

…I’m gonna try that organic bananas… if I find out where to get them.

By Cara on Mar 26, 2008

Great idea about posting the year, Jeanne!!! I posted earlier about my problems, but wanted to add the year it started.

My issues with bananas first started in 1996 or 1997.

By Emerald on Mar 28, 2008

I too am 21 and about 3 or four months ago started having these terrible, make you want to slap yo mama cramps. I found out the hard way that anything with uncooked bananas causes the cramps. Why? I don’t know. I’m thinking that this reaction is purely digestive not an allergic reaction but I could be wrong. I was also met with frustration surfing the net and finding no info. However I have found a remedy. Peppermint tea if drank a few minutes after eating bananas helps to prevent the pain. If you let the cramps go on too long before drinking it the tea won’t work as well. try to drink it without sugar. After this banana busines i won’t need to ask the guy who just got junped on the corner how it feels to get punched in the gut. My ultimate suggestion is to just lay off uncooked bananas completely but if you can’t resist USE THE TEA!!!!

By tiger28 on Apr 1, 2008

what a relief to read all these posts!! i have never had food allergies before (only skin allergy to certain jewelry)– about 2 years ago i got deathly ill after eating an avocado (never happened before), stomach pains so bad i was crying. thinking back, i had had reactions to avocado like this before, but never realized it was the culprit. around the same time i was also having mild abdominal pain after drinking my morning smoothie (banana, yogurt, berries). i stopped those thinking it was the yogurt bothering me. now today, for the first time in a few years, i sit down to enjoy a banana and 20 minutes later–boom! stomach cramps. glad i am not alone! hope i don’t have a latent latex allergy– i am 40 years old, btw– so glad i am not alone!

By aleshia on Apr 2, 2008

hey, I don’t have reactions to bananas but was curious about this… I saw one post that said that when eating organic bananas there was no problems while there was with the other… I think bananas are supposed to be one of the fruits that have the highest concentrations of pesticides… it could be that your body has so many toxins built up over time from the pesticides on the bananas that it is having a reaction as if you were poisoned….. just a thought :)

By MissTexas76 on Apr 3, 2008

I love bananas, but they don’t love me. I can eat banana nut bread, banana flavored ice cream, etc. But if I try to eat the actual FRUIT, I feel like I’m going to die. I get severe nausea/vomiting and stomach pain. It’s horrbile. My grandma said it could be an allergy or the extra potassium from the bananas could be causing the problem. I’m glad I’m not the only person that has this issue with bananas. God Bless!!

By Ann of Green Gables on Apr 7, 2008

Glad I found these posts, I too suffer from bad stomach cramps, cold sweats & nausea from eating the Devil’s fruit. Just recovering from another bout after stupidly tryin a 1/2 of a crummy banana, never again!

By Foolio on Apr 14, 2008

Good to hear I’m not alone. I love banans and pretty much ate them every day until recently when I started to get severe cramps from eating them. The pain is awful and seems to be getting worse. I’m am going to try organically grown bananas (has this helped anyone?) because I don’t think I can go forever without it.

By Shajon on Apr 14, 2008

My daughter is 14, very athletic and very health conscious. We read that in order to gain the most benefits from fruits, they need to be eaten first and alone. Since bananas are supposed to be so healthy, she has been trying to eat them each day especially for breakfast prior to soccer games. A few years back she would often get sharp pains during a game and it was thought to be due to a lack of potassium so we began pushing bananas. She only likes them a little “green” and not ripe. Lately, she has experienced problems only when eaten in the mornings on an empty stomach. Symptoms are nausea and “pressure” in the stomach area, gas and some burping. So far, no extreme pain. Symptoms begin soon after eating the banana and often last a couple of hours. She eats kiwi each day at lunch with no problems. She does eat the kiwi immediately before her sandwich just as she does the banana, but no problems with the kiwi. Cantalope also hasnt caused a problem.

By Barbara on Apr 16, 2008

I might have found the answer to our problem! Granted this article is discussing animals but surely the affects are the same for humans. Here’s a quote: “High potassium diets cause the muscular contractions of the gut to slow and this allows the gut to distend due to gas formation from the rapidly fermenting gut contents. The atonic gut increases in gas content and then torsions and displacements occur.” So the foods that are giving us problems (for me it’s bananas and avocados) are doing so because they’re high in potassium!

By Barbara on Apr 16, 2008

Here’s the website:
http://www.growersnutritional.com/pressreleases/epa/fatefulharvest/swerczek1/swerczek1.html

By Kathleen on Apr 18, 2008

I’m really glad I came across this. I too began experiencing intense stomach pains in my early 20s. I narrowed it down to bananas shortly thereafter. I love bananas and truly miss my rice krispies with banana slices, but I haven’t eaten them in over 4 years. The pain is so bad, its not worth it to me. Recently though, I have started experiencing the same type of pain with other foods as well, and I’m thinking it may be onion. Yet another food I love that I will have to live without…

By Randy on May 7, 2008

I went looking because yesterday I spent about 2 hours battling sever upper stomach cramps and nausea after eating breakfast witha banana. I have noticed that after I eat a banana in the past my mouth would get soar and my throat. It just follows that the stomach would get soar as well. I have even said in the past” I think I’m having a reaction to potassium” misspelled?….after eating banana. I tried somthing one time. I took a potassium tablet and chewed it up…same exact symptoms…Burning cramps etc. And so..I think there is a potassium link. Any others think the same??

By Randy on May 7, 2008

I think sore is spelled sore….sorry…lol

By Ted on May 14, 2008

Oh, thank god. I’m so happy I found this page.

A few days ago, I got cramps and indigestion after having some milk and a banana (it lasted about an hour), and then the same thing happened to me again today. I thought at first that maybe I had become lactose intolerant, but I’ve had milk at other times this week with no problem. So it must be the banana.

I looked on the internet for information about banana intolerance, but I couldn’t find much information until I found this page!

It’s good to know that I’m not just imagining it, and that there are others in the same boat.

By the way, I notice that bananas are related to ginger and cardamom. Ginger is another food I can’t eat (it makes me feel nauseous), and I don’t like the taste of cardamom. I wonder if these are all linked.

By Emerald on May 20, 2008

I’m really going to miss Bananas. I don’t care for them that much eaten by themselves but in a smoothy they are excellent especially if you mix them with pumopkin Ice cream. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!! :)mmmmmmmm

By Emerald on May 20, 2008

Pumpkin Sorry;)

By Jennifer on May 21, 2008

Hello…I noticed I started having trouble with bananas right after I had a c-section with my first child. And it has never gone away. Bloating, pain, it sucks. I was in my early twenties. Anyone have a connetion with c-section and banana trouble?

By Massiel on May 21, 2008

Im 20 and i’ve been eating bananas for breakfast for the past month and my stomach felt weird after breakfast every time. I just had a banana by itself as a snack and i feel so nauseous and im so bloated its scary. I had my gallbladder taken out about 4 years ago, and i always have problems with food that contain a lot of fat. I didnt know bananas had a lot of natural fat as well. I guess this is whats causing the problem!

By Tara on May 21, 2008

Gosh…we really need an answer to this epidemic!! Same situation…ate bananas my whole childhood and early adult hood but about 25 couldn’t eat them without getting terrible gas bloating pain and cramps!

Just today I thought about eating one…I came here to see if maybe I had a mind issue and was going to try it! NEVERMIND!!

By Emily on May 23, 2008

I am thrilled to know that I am not crazy like my sister and husband thought!!! If anyone has info on this crazy thing, please post it…until then, no more bananas for me! I am 25 and my “banana belly” started about 6 months ago. I never knew what was causing it (thinking it was other random foods that I was eating), and always having a banana to soothe my stomachache!!! Lo and behold, they were CAUSING IT!!!! Intense burning, cramping, twisting feeling in my gut (not like gas – entirely different!), along with nausea and dizziness…WIERD!!!

By cathie b on Jun 5, 2008

I came upon this site by chance when googling for info on allergy to bananas. What a great feeling to know that I am not alone! I am 63 and started noticing that bananas gave me severe stomach pains when I was in my early twenties. I just stopped eating them for years and then maybe 15 years ago thought it was silly to cut something i liked completely out of my diet so tried bananas again……….
I was OK for a while but then the post-banana pains (and they are TERRIBLE). So fine, I just stopped them again (by this time I had noticed the same thing with kiwi fruit and broccoli).
BUT, it’s all started again with the craze for Smoothies!
I am on the web today looking for clues because I am in pain and feeling exhausted and generally lousy after drinking a large glass of lovely Tropicana smoothie yesterday. And when I looked there are apparently 4 mashed bananas in the litre of smoothie (which is mostly blackberry and blueberry), but I guess it is the banana which thickens it up. I guess I just have to read the labels.
BTW I don’t think that when I first started getting banana pains the bananas I was eating had been gas-treated. They came straight off the tree where i was living then.
I’ll keep a watch on all the other things people have had problems with, as I do quite regularly hve mild stomach painand have never been sure why.

By Kim for CA on Jun 11, 2008

I get a painful knot in my stomach when eating a whole banana by itself. When eaten in tiny portions or mixed in a protein shake, I don’t feel it as much. Some of us don’t do well with bananas because of something in it. I drink strong coffee and advil on an empty stomach without problems and the banana hurts more. So now I eat it in tiny portions. (I googled the problem to see if there’d be a solution and I see I’m no the only one:-)

By Shannon on Jun 13, 2008

I cannot find much information on the potassium connection. But when I look at the list of potassium-rich foods, many of them bother me to a certain extent. Bananas and avocados are the WORST. But lately I have had reactions with melons, cherries, nectarines, and plums. Gas, bloating, pain. And I’m 6 months pregnant, so I’m trying to eat healthy. Plus the baby is pushing up and cramping my intenstines anyway, so it makes it worse. I am going to try to eat cherries on an empty stomach tomorrow instead of having with some fat/protein like I normally do and see if it makes a difference. Maybe they’ll digest more quickly. This is so awful. I was doing so well for quite some time and it’s getting bad again. Oh, and I noticed that milk products are high in potassium. I have no problem with milk. However, yogurt in normal quantities makes me feel sick sometimes. It’s supposed to be so good for you, but I think the difference is that the milk is liquid and goes through quicker, leading to less bloating. The yogurt and fruit sits there and ferments. At least I’m figuring out the jist of this stuff. It’s so tough.

By Ashes on Jun 14, 2008

Strange as it sounds if you have even a mild ragweed allergy–banana’s and melons are triggers in summer that you pay for in fall. Your body might just be telling you something . . . I have the same problem with uncooked bananas causing ick stomach vs cooked no problem. Don’t know why–just don’t fight it.

By Rhonda on Jun 15, 2008

I was searching for information on Banana Allergies or Reactions when I happened on this site. I started getting sick (stomach cramps/nausea/vomiting) whenever I would eat raw bananas. Eventually, I discovered I had a bad gallbladder and go it taken out. Since then, I have felt better, but, the bananas still make me sick….I didn’t realize it until today I ate banana pudding with oreos and it had whole raw banana in it and now I’m sick as every. I would love to know the connection here……after all, my gallbladder is out!

By Katie R on Jun 16, 2008

Hi Everyone!
Wow! This was the first site I pulled when I googled “bananas causing stomach cramps”.
I’ve read just the most recent 5 entries to see that others have scanned the web also in hope of finding answers. The ragweed allergy connection sounds very plausible since I’m fight some of the worst seasonal allergies yet.
So bad, my labyrinth in my right ear is completely affected.
I have suffered through stomach cramps/ feeling awful in the past after eating certain genres of bananas.
The first episode was last year after eating plantains, (raw, sweet, & ripe). I was told even eating sweet plantains raw was bad, so I cooked them and still had the most severe stomach cramps of my life. I felt like a wolf who wanted to chew off his own limb after getting it snagged in a trap. But in this case it was my small intestines. Particularly the type from Columbia this time around as of yesterday and the day before that is the bunch I WAS eating.
Thanks for posting everyone!!!!
Take care!
Katie

By Barbara on Jun 18, 2008

It’s gotta be the potassium, people. I’ve been tested for allergies and I’m not allergic to anything. Also “banana belly” is nothing at all like what my friends/coworkers experience with their allergies. It feels like a rapid accumulation of gas and that is surely from the potassium. I can’t eat large amounts of cucumber and avocado either or I get the same symptoms. Sigh.

By peppermint tea on Jun 18, 2008

But why in Pete’s sake do we have a reaction to the darn bananas? Other people digest bananas with ease. I almost puked all over the floor at work after having a burrito with avocado.Sweet sweet avocados. Nooooooooooooooooo! Not the guacamole!!!!!
iT’S NOT FAIR. iS IT AN OVERDOSE ON PATASSIUM? SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS!!!!!!

By Shannon on Jun 19, 2008

peppermint tea,

I think it has to be the potassium. I can’t eat avocados or bananas either. I also have a lot of trouble with other fruits and even too much yogurt will hurt my stomach (yogurt is high in potassium also). My small intestines get this huge buildup of gas and get distended. It is so painful. And it lasts for hours.

I have noticed that I can drink high potassium foods like OJ and milk with much less trauma. Maybe because they move on through quickly. ?? But many fruits (ESPECIALLY bananas, avocados, and melons) and yogurt aren’t very nice to me. And I make homemade yogurt with no crap in it also. I just discovered, however, that 1 cup of plain yogurt has about 530 mg of potassium — about as much as 1/2 an avocado.

What I don’t understand, though, is why cooking makes a difference. I don’t have trouble with cooked bananas, spinach, mushrooms, or baked potatoes…all high in potassium. I’m still searching for answers.

By Rick Borecky on Jun 21, 2008

I am in the middle of my second fight after a banana. About two weeks ago was the first and I stopped eating them. Today had a beautiful looking banana and within 10 minutes of eating it I am in horrible pain. and a setting in the bathroom. I about want to die at the peak and am 43 year old male that is pretty tough. Hell I have put my own stitches in but this is horrible. I walked around with a broken collar bone [split in the middle not snapped in two] and torn cartilage in the shoulder for 9 days before I went in and found I had to have surgery 4 pins and rope to pull the cartilage together. Back to work in two weeks but took it easy. With this banana problem you want to puke as it feels like it is at the edge and your stomach feels like it will pop. You cant hold your gut in and barely walk for a bit without contorting your walk. I found this link below and it helped a bit. I will not eat bananas again and never had a problem ever before this. I have been on a diet and lost 30 pounds getting back to my old weight or 215 at 6′3″. Here is the link

http://ezinearticles.com/?Help—I-Am-Allergic-To-Banana&id=546615

By Tony on Jun 25, 2008

Haha, who knew that one person’s problem would be a good place for everyone to gather at? I too suffer from raw-banana sickness or whatever. Normally I just get nauseous when I eat bananas, but today I took a bite and almost immediately threw up and had a bit of a stomach cramp. I finished the rest of my breakfast just fine, and I feel alright now, but man, did it hit me fast. So strange.

By Brian on Jun 25, 2008

Banana’s ruined my night. I hate them. I always knew something was off, but now I am certain: I can’t have bananas. Ever.

By Dennis on Jun 26, 2008

OMG OMG OMG My pain is unbearable …
Yes, I linked it to bananas today. I ate a slightly over-ripened banana, and it appeared to ripen naturally — as someone mentioned, it had lots of little black spots on it instead of going straight to rotting.

I took Tums, Mylanta and Tylenol. Tums helped a bit but then the pain returned. I felt like puking a few times, but in the past it did not quite help. I ate the banana hours ago. I may try force-puking, but I don’t think it will help. Didn’t seem to do it before, since it’s too deep in my intestines now. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

By Dennis on Jun 26, 2008

well, I’m back and I puked out quite a bit of stuff, mostly liquid. That eased the pain a bit, but I still had quite a painful block in my stomach. Then I went #2. It didn’t help. Finally I took Mylanta again, and drank a bit of soda+water solution. This time it seemed to help. I still have some pain, bloating and cramping, but not nearly as bad as originally. No more bananas, although I did love em and still do. I can eat yogurt however, and milkshakes with bananas. It seems though, although I haven’t tested this out completely.

By Teresa on Jun 26, 2008

I too suffer from this weird, odd and strange bloated and awful pain from eating bananas. I have been on a diet for the last four days and part of today’s eating is to enjoy at least 3 bananas, skim milk and soup. I have eaten three bananas today and my stomach is absolutely killing me. I feel so bloated in my upper abdominal region. I get this way when I eat Broccoli too. I have actually been rushed to the ER after eating a lot of Broccoli and come to find out it is just gas build up from the vegetable. I too am going to buy some beano and see if it works. Maybe the Potassium in the bananas is causing gas build up or something. Thank you to all that have placed a comment on this website…it has been the only website I have found that even comes close to helping me with this issue. Thanks again.

By Lindsey on Jun 27, 2008

I ate an avocado about 3 hours ago & got intense stomach pains & started sweating. I decided to see what I could find on the internet & it led me here. It doesn’t happen every time I eat an avocado, usually only on an empty stomach. This also happens with peanuts & peanut butter (which I love). If I eat a sandwich & then have some peanuts, I’m fine. But if I eat peanuts/peanut butter on an empty stomach, I feel like I’m dying. I cannot eat bananas at all for this reason. I discovered this after drinking smoothies in highschool that had bananas in them & getting horrible stomach pains. I started getting the ones without bananas & haven’t had a problem. My mom has the same banana problem. This is just really weird! I’m glad I’m not the only one =)

By Pam on Jul 2, 2008

I’ve long suspected that these crazy stomach aches were from bananas, but I was never 100% sure.

Last night, we took the kids for (of all things) banana splits. I figured that since the bananas were covered in ice cream, I’d have no problems. I had thought about skipping the bananas but after tasting one, I just ate the rest.

Within 20 minutes, I was doubled over in pain. It felt like I had a burning fever, but only in my face. The sensations I was having in my throat, on my tongue and in my nasal passages were not quite an itch and not quite a burn.

Shortly after that, I was parked on my toilet, convincing myself that I would not vomit. I was in so much pain that even talking made me feel like I was going to vomit.

An hour after that, most of the pain and nausea was gone and I was feeling just bloated.

Today, I called my brother to apologize for not coming over after we had plans. I told him that I foolishly ate a banana and it tore me up. That was when he told me that he avoids bananas like the plague because they make his throat and tongue itch.

I went online to look up “banana digestion problems” and found all kinds of stuff how bananas are good for stomach problems.

So now, after refining my search terms, I look up banana allergies and this is what I find! I’m so glad I’m not the only one in the world with this terrible problem from a simple fruit. How strange…

I’m not convinced that it’s a potassium problem since I’ve never had problems with taking supplements, nor eating other foods high in potassium. I’ve only ever had problems like this when eating bananas (and occasionally eggs.) I’m pretty sure this is some kind of allergy and that my brother ended up with it as well.

By Greg on Jul 8, 2008

Add me to the list of those who suffer from severe stomach pains after eating bananas. I am 40 now and it took me a while to discover it was bananas that caused the pain but looking back to my youth I used to cut them up on my cereal quite often and always had a stomach ache afterwards. I get the same pains from eating avocado, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower either cooked or raw. Banana bread does not seem to be a problem. I told my doctor about this on my last physical and he said “Hmmmmm”. There are obviously a lot of people that suffer from these symptoms. Anyone got any solutions?

By margie on Jul 9, 2008

OK, I’m not reading all of the comments to your posts, but not sure if anyone suggested organic bananas. If you suffer from no other food related allergies (no reaction to avacados, etc.), your body may just not like the chemicals used to ripen regular bananas. From what I’ve researched, organic bananas are ripened with a cleaner, more natural type of gas. I sufferred for many years from the instant pain and cramping I referred to as “Banana Gut”, but since I’ve switched to organic (only 20 cents more a pound), I’ve been buying and eating bananas ever since! Try this – see if it works! If it doesn’t, it’s definielty an allergy of some type.

By mindi on Jul 10, 2008

I just read an interesting blurb on tannin – I had my morning tea without eating first and was almost instantly nauseated. I read that the tannin causes this and that bananas have a lot of tanin in them… (I’m still convinced of the food latex syndrom in my case, but think this could be the reason other people suffer from bananas)

By TGirl on Jul 15, 2008

I am so glad the avacoado thing is mentioned here. I ate avacados practically everyday for about a year and then stopped. Now whenever I have even a little bit of avacado I am so sick, as I am tonight because I forgot and ate one and had to lie in bed in fetal position for an hour. I still ache so bad but have to do my homework!! Since this is new and never happened before, and I have a sensiticity to latex, I was wondering, did my sensitivities just increase over the year???? Does anyone know if you can force it to go away by gradually increasing your intake? I love avacados and not sure I’m willing to give them up. Bananas dometimes hurt my stomache but only if I eat one on an empty stomache, also blueberries will make me sick occasionally.

By TGirl on Jul 15, 2008

PS
It’s been three hours since the avacado and I feel like I’m dying..I’m very nauseated and cramping..stomache feels like it’s on fire!! Is this how you all feel too??
It sucks that this is a common ailment, but like Emily said above, I’m so glad I’m not crazy too!!! If anyone finds a cure (Other than the obvious don’t eat them) please tell!!

By JC on Jul 23, 2008

I don’t think its the ethelyne. I haven’t had one in months for the same prob as everyone else. I decided that I was hurting cause they weren’t ripe enough. I picked up a bunch (is that what they are called–all attached) and ate one. It didn’t bother me at all. Ate one from teh same bunch today and swear to god I thought i was going to die–horrible pain/nauseau. A few weeks ago raw almonds did the same thing. Could it be divirticulitis?(sp?)

By JC on Jul 23, 2008

i think its the physical process of the banana moving through the stomach/intestines. it feels as though i ate something that doesn’t fit

By michelle on Jul 25, 2008

yay! something is wrong with me! im glad i found this, and my people. i love bananas! its the several hours afterward that have me doubling over in pain that suck tremendously and remind me why i shouldnt eat them. a few slices in banana pudding are okay though.

By Jessica on Jul 30, 2008

Wow! I definitely didn’t read the entire page, but I’m so happy to find that others had similar symptoms. Although, I’m 17, not 21.

Anyways, I just realized I might be allergic to bananas as well after eating three-fourths of one today. The banana cream pie blizzard I had earlier this week also produced similar symptoms. And looking back, so did the homemade shake I made a while ago. Goodness, who knew?
And thank you “purple_kangaroo” for pointing out that the supposed exception of organic bananas aren’t actually safe. I was set on switching, but now it seems I’m stuck again. And thanks to everyone that pointed out banana bread doesn’t hold the same side-effects; that would be dreadful.
That is odd that this is the only site with information on the topic…

By Lisa on Aug 13, 2008

Thank you so much for this website, i have been dealing with this for over 15 years, i have had my gallbladder removed, laproscopic surgery trying to find the problem, my allergy is so bad that if i so much as put a banana to my lips i’m in the hospital on morphine drip for the pain

my allergy, if that’s what it is also includes avocados and any kind of egg except scrambled and also raspberries no real mayonaise or anything with egg in it sauces etc.

i have been suffering with this for so long and have been to so many doctors knowing that it had something to do with these foods as i have cut them out for over 10 years now and they have no clue, they throw me some painkillers and that’s it. I have talked with numerous people and everyone looks at you like your crazy, “what do you mean you can’t eat banana’s”…so i always felt like it was just me.

I am on a muscle relaxant now that i can take if i have a flair up, and it seems to work ok. I know there are other things i could add to my list as i have stomach cramps every so often for no reason usually after i eat.

My tip, jump into a warm bath, as hot as you can take it, it will calm the cramping and like all of you i love these things and miss eating them but it’s just not worth the pain.

Thank you all again for sharing, i feel better already

By Angie C. on Aug 18, 2008

I am totally amazed that I found so many others that have trouble eating bananas! For me, it started when I was 23 and pregnant with my first child. I thought it was a pregnancy thing, but still couldn’t eat them after I gave birth. I am 40 now, and I have had a banana every now and then over the years just to see…but no luck! I developed gallstones and had my gallbladder removed. I suffered the same pain from the gallstones as I did when I ate bananas, so thought that was the probem. NOT! I still can’t eat them and it drives me crazy! I, too, like so many others can eat them cooked. I can eat banana flavored foods as long as there are no real bananas in them. Cantelopes and other fruit and vegetables are fine. I am going to try the organic bananas and if that doesn’t work, I will try beano. I am so glad I found this information. I will let you kow if anything works!

By Lisa on Aug 19, 2008

For all of you, my doctor prescribed a pill that when an attack sets in, it’s gone about 15 mins after taking this pill..

it’s called Buscopan 10mg. it’s a life saver i carry it with me everywhere and if i eat something that triggers these attacks i just take one and within 15 mins it’s gone..

ask your doctors, it’s a miracle.

oh and by the by…organic banana’s do the same thing as regular, well for me anyway

By andi on Aug 28, 2008

I am 50 and have had “banana belly” since my early 20’s. Raw egg whites will do the same thing to me – excruciating stomach pain and belching for hours. Avocados used to do it also, but for some reason I can now tolerate them. One thing I have noticed is that cutting the banana up in thin slices and let them sit at room temperature for a while makes them much more digestible. Makes me think it’s related to enzyme action. Any thoughts on this? I mentioned the banana-egg white-avocado thing to a couple of doctors and received that blank “hmmm….she must be a hypochondriac” expression. SO nice to know we’re not alone!!

By Jenny on Sep 2, 2008

My husband bught bananas the other day and I ate one this morning, raw. I don’t normally eat bananas, I am not fond of them, but I just had this “must eat banana” feeling. About a half hour after eating it I started getting severe stomach pains (like cramps) and felt nauseated. I sat about a half hour in the bathroom just in case, but eventually the pains went away without me throwing up ( though at one point I wished I would, just to make the pain go away). My stomach was tender when I pressed on it, it feels better now, but also feels like it has taken a beating.

When I was visiting my family in Arizona in May I ate a raw banana the first morning there. A little while later I was sick, cramps and then throwing up (which ended the problem). I then avoided bananas until today. I don’t know how I could forget how awful bananas treated me the last time I ate one. I guess I thought it was the traveling, which also messes my system up.

A few years ago I would make a lot of smoothies, and use bananas as a filler. Those were fine, the only smoothie that would make my stomach ache was my favorite of honeydew, lime and yogurt.

For the age record I turned 27 in July.

By Gloria on Sep 3, 2008

Wow, I thought I was the only one, too. I’ve had family members say my reaction is crazy and no one I know has even heard of this. I’m allergic to raw bananas, cantaloupe, grapes and eggs. The reaction to grapes and eggs is a bit different because I will actually lose consciousness after vomiting like crazy. The pain, oh man, the pain is awful for HOURS. And I don’t know that the age thing matters…I’m in my mid 50s and have had these problems for 40 years. The last episode with grapes (before I finally figured it out) I had to go to ER to have an IV to replace fluids. And it’s odd but if the banana and eggs are baked into something (like other people here) I can sometimes get away with eating it–but not always.

By Jenn on Sep 5, 2008

Right now I’m in SO MUCH PAIN. All because of a stupid banana split I had earlier. I would say this started about a year or two ago. After awhile I realized that if I ate a banana I would get these really bad pains! I even vomited once. It kind of feels like a gallbladder attack but I had mine out years ago. Like most of you I can’t find anything on the internet dealing with this. I just want this pain to stop. I’m NEVER eating a banana again. I thought since it’s been a while since I had a banana I would be okay. Nope. =[

By Heidi on Sep 7, 2008

I thought this was just me…I am in so much pain right now! I am never eating a banana again, this happens every time! Nothing will help the pain!

By Claire on Sep 10, 2008

I am glad that I found this site. I don’t like bananas but thought it would be good to start eating them to help with weight loss and to become healthier. I didn’t realize the stomach pain at first because it was mild. Then it gradually increased that now when I eat a banana I have such bad “gutrot” and feel so sick and flushed. My lips start to feel like they are stinging. This however just started and now I will not eat bananas. I’m glad to have read others go through this.

By Gloria on Sep 11, 2008

It’s strange–if there are so many of us that have these fool allergies, why do doctors act as if we have bats in the belfry? I don’t think we’re born with it. I could eat eggs till I was a teen and was able to eat canteloupe, grapes and bananas until ten years ago. It would be nice if, when you talked to medical personnel about it, they’d nod and say, “Oh yeah, I heard about this.”

By Danger on Sep 15, 2008

I’m 37 and have had severe stomach problems for over a year. On top of two ER visits, I’ve had the upper GI, colonoscopy, and swallowed a mini-camera to determine what’s wrong. Went gluten free and still had stomach pain. Then, found this website, quit eating bananas and it’s the best I’ve felt in over a year. Thank you. Please continue posting as new ideas develop.

By mags on Sep 21, 2008

I aquired the severe banana stomach ache as an adult. What a freaky thing. I have found a few others who also suffer and we feel like we’ve found long lost relatives as we discuss our intense, debilitating pain after eating a bite of banana cream pie–(remember how yummy that was?!) I’ve sworn off bananas but I am disappointed as I had the same old pain, nausea, chills severely for about 2 hours after eating two delicious tomatoes from my garden last night. Once you’ve had a banana stomach ache you never forget it–it’s like no other stomach ache/flu/virus/ gallbladder attack I’ve ever experienced—intense and about 2 hours. I’d love an answer. Good luck everyone!

By Jeannie on Oct 1, 2008

I just read all of the posts and comments…took me 45 min. I found this site due to looking for connection between drinking ice tea and eating papaya which both gave me this same horrible stomach ache that all here are talking about. As the tea is an oddball item amongst all this, one of the posts mentioned tannin which is in tea and bananas. I am thinking it must be in papaya, not sure yet.
the potassium connection sounds very possible also. I seem to be able to eat bananas but I have issues once in awhile with different fruits.
Possibilities seem to be
potassium and salt ratio
amines and salycilate sensitivity
tannin
cures are don’t eat what “hurts”
try pill —buscopan 10mg
drink real orange juice or salt water when have pain
Warm bath for pain
This is great site. We ought to have a forum…

gassing and/or pesticides

By Melissa on Oct 7, 2008

I came upon this site looking why I get such violent stomach pains after eating a banana. All my family thought I was nuts. I always loved banana putting, then in my early twenties I ate some and had extremely sharp pains. I tried again the next night and the same thing occured. I found it very odd. For the next couple of weeks I tried a half of a banana, then them in my cereal, and a banana split all with the same outcome. It has been six years later and every year I try to eat just a bite of one and still have the same reaction. Would really like to know the cause of why all of a sudden my body would reject bananas. That is just too weird to me.

By bb on Oct 8, 2008

I have the latex/fruit allergy. I am allergic to latex, avocado, bananas, mango. If I’m in contact with latex, I get a very bad rash and get swollen. My allergist says I could have an anaphylactic reaction and to stay away from it. Avocados make me very sick. I’m extremely nauseous and have a stomach ache for a whole day. Even something with a tiny bit of avocado that I try to pick out will do me in. With bananas, I get the banana stomach ache a lot of people here are mentioning. With mango, I get a really, really bad rash, whether from eating it or coming in contact with the oil (like in a lotion or something). I just avoid all this stuff.

If you have the banana allergy, please beware of latex. If you wear a band-aid and get a little red where the band-aid was, you might be developing it. That’s how it happened to me. Then one day I was at the dentist and my mouth and face swelled up from the gloves like you wouldn’t believe. The dentist and staff were very alarmed. It went back to normal by that night, but now I have to tell every doctor that I have a latex allergy.

Also, a lot of people think that the stomach ache from bananas is not an allergy. Usually people think allergy and people think of anaphylaxis or rashes. It is an allergy. I’ve seen allergist for a few years now for environmental allergies and have talked about this with him. Google banana allergy.
Glad I stumbled onto this site tonight. I haven’t met a lot of people with these allergies.

By blake on Oct 19, 2008

I also have banana stomach aches, i thought i was the only one who had this shit happen to them. it started when i was 19. I love banana’s but they kill my stomach.

By sarah on Oct 20, 2008

yep. bananas and avocados have done it to me since I was in my teens (am 41 now). and with bananas it seems to be a bit inconsistent. I also have bouts with foot cramps. personally, I’m siding with the potassium theory. because I love these foods and the reactions are kind of hit and miss (but suck to high heaven when they hit), I sometimes eat them anyway. did I mention that I’m stubborn? ;) silly, esp when debilitating pain is involved. in any case, it is a real joy to finally have this tangible proof that it isn’t “all in my mind”. hooray.

By Timi on Nov 2, 2008

I’m glad to have found this site! It’s good to know I’m not alone with this banana issue. I had really bad stomach pains starting a few weeks ago and I had no idea why. Then only a couple of days ago I realised the only common factor was a banana! But I couldn’t understand why something that was meant to be healthy would do this. I’m only 15 so I don’t think it’s the age related factor like someone else said, but I’m going to try organic bananas and see how they work out…

By Bill on Nov 6, 2008

Same thing. Even minutes after eating one. The pain will usually last about 45 minutes to 3 or 4 hours depending on the amount ingested.

After experimentation, I realized it also includes pineapples and dairy. :-/

By jack on Nov 23, 2008

I have had the same problem for over a year now, at one time before this happened, I loved Bananas, and a couple years ago I ate about 6-7 in one day. a few months after I had the same problem. Last week I had a sip of a banana & peanut butter smoothie, the usual terrible stomach pains and cramps hit, I had a glass with 2 Alka Seltzer (spelling?) and in abuot 15 minutes I felt like a million bucks, I will also say I have Exponentially worse symptoms when I consume avocado/guakomoli. One night it kept me awake until 8:00, i couldnt go into work. I say give the Alka seltzer a try. maybe it’s how i’ll have to enjoy my bananas… ( I am 23)

By Curtis Rose on Nov 24, 2008

Noticed a banana took me two my knees two years ago. 42 y.o. now. Avocados made me nausiated as a kid, but never bananas. I grew up on them. So I thought I could handle one today. It has now been 2 hours of knife stabbing like pain in my upper abdomen. The pain is severe. My heart goes out to anyone who has felt this. Nice, not to be alone with this wacky crap. Oh, my
God, it hurts….I know it will be gone soon.

By Andja on Nov 25, 2008

Wow, after discovering that my son (now 18) has Banana Belly, I empathise with all of you. Thinking back, he has possibly had it for 3 years, but it has reached the excruciating stage, even with just a small piece.

Since my grandchildren began eating solids, they developed eczema. I remembered that my son never liked potatoes, or raw tomatoes, saying that they made his lips burn. He also refused these foods, whilst being weaned. I googled the 2 foods and discovered Solanaceae intolerance. The group also includes peppers, aubergine and tobacco (oh and deadly nightshade, but that was the easy one to give up, lol). He can’t abide peppers, or aubergine and doesn’t smoke. We cut out all these products and their derivatives, from my grandchildrens’ diet and the eczema disappeared.

This site also mentioned that if you have an intolerance, or allergy to a certain food/food group, you tend to crave that/those food/s.

I also cut the foods out of my diet and my rough skin, disappeared. On trying them, on the odd occasion, I get severe bloating and pain, dandruff, dry skin and itchiness.

My grandchildren (aged 6 and 4) can’t stand bananas, but I love them. I haven’t ‘tested’ them yet, but I shall have to now. Their mum, a lifelong potato lover/craver, has n

Which brings me back to Bananas…..
ow succumbed to the fact that she, too, suffers from them!

I found this site and from that looked up Latex-Fruit allergy and found another site:

http://foodallergens.ifr.ac.uk/food.lasso?selected_food=5

On following their links, I notice that tomatoes and potatoes are also mentioned. I think I need to do some more elimination tests, to see whether it is Solanaceae, or Latex-Fruits allergy.

BTW I know I am allergic to latex, but my son does not, yet. Neither do we know if he is allergic to Avocado, or Kiwi. All that we know so far, is that he doesn’t like them.

Goos luck to all, in finding all your trigger foods :-)

By Andja on Nov 25, 2008

I also found this link, which explains more about why cooking the foods makes a difference:

http://www.bjpcn-respiratory.com/pdf/2548/Vol1_Num1_December_2006_p45-46.pdf

ps Please excuse the spelling mistakes and not in order sentences, in the above post. My laptop mouse is misbehaving, so the cursor moves and I obviously didn’t proof read my text, carefully enough ;-)

By Phil on Dec 1, 2008

Apologies if I am echoing other posts here, I have tried to read through, but this is a long thread now! I think the important issue here is that the pain is appearing despite the lack of a variable. For instance in my case I am pretty certain that nothing about my lifestyle or diet has changed, my body has merely just started to reject bananas. I have eaten 2 bananas a day, 5 days a week at work for the past 10 months without any reaction, until last week the stomach cramps / gas started as most of you have described with varying severity (although not the itchiness or boils etc which must be a much more serious and obvious allergy). To me, this immediately points to the cause being a build up of a some kind in the body over this length of time. I have to add, that despite being 28 years old, 10 months ago i had never eaten a banana before! So the pesticide / toxin theory seems the most likely as I have not had any other allergies at all or had any similar reaction with any other food – i.e. I eat eggs regularly. So I will give the organic solution a go in the hope that it can solve this frustrating problem.. I’ll post again in a couple of weeks to let you know if it helps.

By Terri on Dec 2, 2008

I haven’t been able to eat a banana or avocado for more than twenty years without suffering the same kind of unholy cramps that the rest of you are describing. Sometmes I can get away with banana bread, sometimes not. Apparently, today was not my lucky day. I made some banana muffins and didn’t think anything of it until the cramps started. Then I found this site- I am not alone!

For those of you who haven’t yet found relief, try Pepto-Bismol. It doesn’t take the pain away completely, but it helps a lot.

I’ve asked at least a dozen doctors about this and have never gotten an answer. One doctor did check out my gallbladder, but said everything looked normal.

I’m assuming it must be an allergy as bananas and avocados are related. I don’t know about it being tannins because I drink tea every day and have no problems. Nor do I have any problem with walnuts, which are high in tannins.

Hopefully, this blog will help somebody figure it out. Until then, make your smoothies with yogurt, ice, and frozen fruit-that way, they are plenty thick without the banana.

Good luck to all of you.

By Katy on Dec 11, 2008

Another Avacado/Banana allergy. I get sick to my stomach every time, no matter whether they’re cooked or not. I’ve also noticed the same thing with eggs, but if I only eat egg whites, I’m fine. The latest I’ve noticed is cilantro. If there’s any at all in my food, I get as sick as I do with the bananas and avacados (avacados actually landed me in the hospital last year around this time- don’t listen to them when they say there’s no avacado in your food!)
I was wondering if anyone else had the sensitivity to only the egg yolk…

By Robyn on Dec 11, 2008

This is so eye opening! I have been suffering from this horrible stomach ache for so long now! It’s not really a stomach ache it’s more of an abdominal pain right in the middle. It burns and cramps like crazy! I have been to several doctors trying to figure this thing out. They’ve thought it could be a hyatal hernia, stomach ulcers, indigestion, heart burn, etc. I was on nexium for a while and it did nothing. I’ve had sonograms and an endoscopy which showed I may have had some debris in my gall bladder or possibly a small polyp. So, I had my gall bladder removed about 3 weeks ago. When they took it out, they discovered no gall stones, no polyp, and no debris. It was a little red and irritated ( so they said). I’ve been a little skeptical of the whole thing. Then today for breakfast I had a banana with a bowl of strawberry fields cereal from Kashi. Boom! The pains were back. Just like old times. So I thought, I wonder if I’m allergic to bananas? Or maybe it has something to do with eating them on an empty stomach. This is amazing. I wish I would have thought of this before. I’ll never eat another banana and I WANT MY GALL BLADDER BACK!!!!!!!!!

By Marce on Dec 16, 2008

So interesting! I have now twice experienced pain in my stomach after eating a banana. The exact same pain I get after taking aspirin. The first time this happened, the banana I had was green and I contributed it to that, but I just had a nice yellow banana and the same pain is back. Guess banana’s (like aspirin) are out for me. Oh, I just remembered, black tea (regular Tetley kind) gives me the SAME Pain!! Hmmm.

By kelly ann on Dec 19, 2008

Hi all!
This is crazy, who would have thought?
My dad said he got an awful stomach ache from eating a banana. He said it was the second time it happened in a week.

I just thought maybe I’d see if anyone else had, so I googled “banana stomach pain” and got all of this info!

I had no idea how many people this happens to. Its awesome that we can connect and find important and immediately useful knowledge.

So there is something to the banana stomach ache.
I myself get that same pain from cellulose foods. I used to get horrible wicked stomach cramping and bloating from eating onions, beans, peppers, certain berries,even popcorn.

Apparently I was lacking certain enzymes that help me digest my food.I found this out when I worked at a health food store and a customer came in for a Papaya Enzyme supplement. I tried taking it after I ate the problem foods and was amazed.

I can still ONLY eat these foods if I have taken one of the chewable papaya enzyme tablets.

Its so helpful. I can eat onions again!

By Travis on Dec 22, 2008

I too suffer from an banana intolerance. Mine started a few years ago; I ate a banana before church and during the service I suffered arguably the worst stomache pain I’ve ever had. I took it as a one time thing but I ate another banana a few months later and had the same reaction.

I also get the same stomache pain from certain mexican food and after reading the post it must be the avocado even though I always ask for no guacamole. I’m suffering from the cramps and bloating as we speak even though I haven’t had banana’s or guacamole. I’ve been chewing some strawberry and banana flavored gum but I doubt that would cause the reaction. It sucks because my pain lasts for at least a week when it’s bad.

By Audrey on Dec 22, 2008

Mine is a little different. Today I am 24, 3 days ago I started feeling very ill at work I only had less than an hour left so I planned on toughing it out. That didn’t work I just could not focus, there was no energy left in my body, I had to leave 10 minutes before my shift was over.

My stomach was weird, nauseous, minor cramping, more like tightening. I walked home it took me an hour, about every 10-15 minutes I would have a burst of nausea (I thought I was poisoned with gas fumes). Smells of Diesel, exhaust fumes and all 3 restaurants did not help the nausea. I was sweating alot. About another hour later I became violently ill, started vomitting and came the diarrhea. I was convinced I had food poisoning.

Banana Bread or Sausages. I thought it was Sausages but last night my husband got sick as well. The GROSS part only lasted 4-6 hours and it was off to recovery. Because the timeline disproves food poisoning, I thought it was the 24 hour Stomach Flu. Great Theory, Symptoms are exact.

Except I made Banana Bread tonight and the smell(right when it was finished) made me nauseaus and sweaty.

THAT IS COOKED BANANA.
I have my Gall Bladder
I am very healthy, no medical problems
I eat my bananas yellow and yellow only, but these past banana breads I have made with black bananas. I usually use fresh or starting to turn bananas.

By Audrey on Dec 22, 2008

I just remembered the sharp pain, it just clicked. About 20-30 minutes after eating a banana for how long… (I can’t remember, I don’t and didn’t eat a lot of bananas) It felt like a strong humger pain, I would eat it as an “I’m hungry snack” I just thought it was “Hey it’s Hungry and that Banana didn’t do it for me, real food please”.

By not bananas on Dec 24, 2008

OHG! I thought I was alone. I first experienced the banana pain when I was in my late 20’s. I quit eating them for several years. Then I tried a half banana, no problem. So tried again. Then progressed to a full banana. But after a few days/weeks the pain started again. Excrutiating, severe cramps that cause me to double over. No problem with banana bread, so I think cooked bananas are ok. I do experience the same thing from raw mushrooms but I have to eat a lot of them, so I go easy when putting them on my salads etc. Cooked mushrooms are also no problem. I haven’t eaten a banana in years and never will.

By Susan on Dec 31, 2008

Glad to have found this post. I am in my 50s and have had the banana problems for years. My son developed it also when he was in his late teens. Last year I started having stomach pains (which I did not equate with the banana thing since I wasn’t eating them) and was sent for all kinds of tests. Luckily they ruled out gall bladder and didn’t take it out! I have since figured out that is is eggs! I haven’t been eating them at all except cooked generally into something else – but wonder if it is the whites as mentioned in a previous post. My son has a reaction every now and then to eggs – so I warned him it was probably developing into full blown like the bananas with exposure. I have also had a reaction to dried apricots. I also break out at the site of bandaids. So there does seem to be a connection in all this.

By jamie r on Jan 2, 2009

WOW!!! I am not alone. I have always tried to eat a banana but would only be able to take one bite and then get so crampy and nauseated that I would gag on the second bite…every single time. I never thought anything about it, so I would continue to try it again with the same results. This has been since I was about 13 yrs old and I am not 29. Lately it has been so bad, I can’t even handle the smell of a peel sitting in the trash because it makes me sick, and it seems like I can smell it a mile away! Now, I just don’t even try to attempt it. I have never had a latex reaction so not sure if that will develop. This thread is so interesting though!!!!

By Jane on Jan 8, 2009

So glad I’ve found this site! I’m recovering from latest bout of stomach cramps after eating a banana earlier tonight. This has just started in the last month, I’m 40 so don’t think it’s age related. I have a friend who developed skin rashes from eating too many bananas, so there must be something dodgey in them if eaten in large quantities. I can eat 1 ok but any more than that in a day and i’m bent double. This is the 3rd and last time it’s happened to me, I’m an apple girl now!

By SC-Debbie on Jan 11, 2009

My reaction:
20-30 minutes after eating banana, a sickly feeling starts to build like I am getting sick on my stomach. Then waves of flushes and feel hot bulding to what feels like a bad stomach virus. Then nausea sets in
and it feels like my body is telling me there
is poison in there – everything feels bad to the point that I cannot even think normally. All I can think about is my body is having a violent internal reaction and the only thing I can do is to force myself to throw up. Each time this has happened, relief has come
IMMEDIATELY after throwing up.

My back story: ate bananas as a staple, at least one or two a week since a child. At age 38 this started to happen out of the blue. Went on for ten years and then for a 6 month span i could eat them normally. After that the symptoms returned. I am now in my 50’s and condition persists.

Medical: potassium levels have been relatively the same over all these years with
no problems. The only difference in my medical during that 6 months when I could digest them normally was when I was taking hormone replacement therapy. Can’t imagine any connection with that.

Other reactions: no other fruits or foods bother me in the least..only I get the same exact reaction to anything with ASPARTAME..
whether it is in a drink or chewing gum…just as I do with bananas. I am miserable to the point of throwing this up and out of my body, Also doctors have no idea why bananas are making me sick so they are no help.

By Thomas on Jan 16, 2009

I’ve been diagnosed with and am a long time sufferer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome and according to all the info, bananas are supposed to be a good thing. Just had one a little over an hour ago and am just starting to feel okay again. Owee. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to eat at all.

By Stacy on Jan 20, 2009

I have tears in my eyes after reading these posts! I have felt like a freak since this all started–you guessed it–at about 21 years old!
Foods I ate regularly as a kid began causing unbelievable stabbing pain in my upper abdomen. Hours of agony!
Avocados are the worst! One microscopic bite and it’s over! My list includes: mushrooms,nectarines,bananas,raw carrots,certain types of lettuce,all melons,walnuts,pecans,etc… When it first started, I too was treated for a gallbladder “attack”, but I had no problems with high fat,spicy foods, so it didn’t make sense.
Cooking the food seems to alleviate the reaction. i can eat cooked carrots but not raw. I also thought about the potassium connection, but since I can eat eggs,and other foods I’m not sure. I’m just happy to not feel so alone now.

By Rina on Jan 20, 2009

OMG! I just had a banana for lunch. Like, ive been eating bananas for a while and i ALWAYS get stomach aches from them, but, now, as im stitting here with my STOMACH HURTING, well, im just fed up with it. Like, last year, it never happened at all, (Heh i guess i should say TWO years ago) And its been happening and happening, so i rarely eat bananas. Before i actually started looking at these posts, i thought the pain in my stomach was good pain, like it was burning something (HAHA). But now i know its not, my mother is a Pharmacist so i’m going to defintiley talk to her about this, my stomach hurts like hell at the moment, I only looked at some of the posts people made, so i’m definitley going to be reading more in the near future. Ugh, my stomach hurts so bad. Now i know i’m not alone. Thank you whomever made this thread. :)

By Tom on Jan 28, 2009

I’m 25 and I’ve only noticed problems with bananas starting about a month ago. Earlier this week I was fine after eating a banana which had ripened to a ‘mottled’ appearance (consistent with no ethylene gas treatment). I have, however, had problems yesterday and today after eating bananas which had started to blacken over large areas (as if they’d been treated with ethylene gas). I was in agony this morning before finding this thread, but I tried Alka-Seltzer and now feel much better. I also noticed a mild reaction to latex for the first time a few months ago. I’m just sad guacamole may be off-limits from now on!

If you’re reading this: try Alka-Seltzer!

By Tee on Jan 29, 2009

I’m so happy I am not the only one. My friends used to tell me it was in my head cause I could eat most cooked banana items. It also happend to me at 21. I tried again this morning (I haven’t had a banana in 3 years) cause they are my FAVORITE!! I’m at work right now barely sitting up my stomach hurts so bad.

By Jacob on Jan 29, 2009

I’ve been trying to eat healthier lately, ie. eating more fruits

for some time now (i’m 29) i wouldn’t be able to eat apples, blackberries and peaches because i would get itchy throat. my gums would also hurt!? then this week i tried making banana smoothies and right after i had BAD stomach cramps! after reading this thread, i think i’m gonna take bananas out of my diet!

By Marissa on Jan 31, 2009

I have a similar problem with bananas! It started last year when I was 21 and pregnant. I ate a kiwi and then my chest hurt, and it did it again when I ate another type of fruit at a birthing class. Now it is a year and a half later and I just ate a banana 20 min ago. I have bad chest pain right between my ribs and feel short of breath. I get this way everytime I eat a kiwi or banana. I usually try to avoid these fruits but it had been so long and I forgot. I find it odd that this is happening with so many people in their early 20’s.

By Melissa on Feb 2, 2009

It’s so nice to know that I am not alone in this! At 18 I developed these weird symptoms, which literally popped up overnight. Every time I eat banannas or avacados, I get the absolute worst ache and cramping in my abdomen. It lasts forever… literally hours and hours, lately when I’ve inadvertently ingested something with bananas or avacados the pain lasts longer. It almost hurts to breathe because the pain in my abdomen in so bad!! I doubt it has to do with raw bananas, because even cooked ones have the effect! I’d be interested to know if anyone also has the feeling of being drugged? I feel almost like I’m having an out of body experience right as the pain starts – like I’m on some sort of drug? Weird. Its so nice to know I’m not alone! Someone also mentioned watermelon sensitivity… I have that to, to a lesser extent.

By Jocelyn on Feb 3, 2009

Wow…everything is spot on…I’m 25 and I noticed for the past couple of months that I too have acquired stomach pains from…bananas! I love them cut up with my yogurt and used to have this for breakfast regularly…could it have been the yogurt was coating my stomach? I dunno…I have never heard of a banana allergy and I summed it all up to gas…it’s not a stomach ache that can be relieved by going to the bathroom it’s just this dull, cramping sensation…but it sux…I was beginning to wonder if my body was rejecting the potassium…so now I’m off to look up potassium deficiency…to see what not eating bananas may do…I may be back with a report!

By Megan on Feb 3, 2009

Thankfully I found this……….now being 27 and having this problem since i was around 18 and noone else seemed to have it my mother was starting to think i was just silly…… bananas give me a horrible horrible stomach ache within an hour or so of eating one……..a paralizing tummyache at that and often i will even vomit its like my body isnt breaking down something in it and it must come back up……..i will continue to have the tummy ache for about 24 hrs…….i have no sensitivity to any other food really and medications or anything just bananas. on occassion maybe once a year i will try to bite into one and test but its still the same result and unlike many others banana nut bread or something with cooked bananas also hurt me which is why i started looking up the problem today…..so from now on out i will just stay clear of bananas tho its tempting i would rather spare myself the pain! good luck to all!

By Rosh on Feb 4, 2009

Phew! This is such a relief! My problem started last summer (age 20), and like most everyone I would always have a banana for breakfast. I thought I had cramps but this was worse, so I experimented one day, and it really was the banana that caused my severe cramps. I can’t believe they are supposed to relieve cramps!

Also, to an earlier post, alcoholism would not have any effect or this, since this allergy is not effecting my liver or brain. I am of Indian heritage, so I don’t know how similar my genes are to everyone else. Conclusion: it’s jsut an allergy.

By pj on Feb 5, 2009

So GREAT to see this blog! I’m allergic too, but in a totally different way than most. Cooked bananas are my nemesis! I ate creamed banana pie at my mother’s 60th B-day party and awoke the next day with hives all over my neck and face. Three days later I ordered mole sauce on my enchiladas and my mouth instantly started itching in the same way as it had with the pie. After I asked the waitress if there were bananas in the mole sauce, she frantically returned from asking the chef and said “Yes! There’s bananas in the mole sauce!” (As a side note, who the heck puts bananas in mole sauce! Sheesh! They’re trying to kill a girl!) Also, I’ve been fighting a low-grade itchiness on my lower legs for years and think it’s from raw bananas (which I’ve now stopped eating) and/or something in raw fruit (which I still eat a lot of). Anyone have thoughts or similar symptoms?

By Stephanie on Feb 16, 2009

I’m up late and can’t sleep b/c my 5 yr. old son just had an allergic reaction. It is his 4th since this summer. He got itchy all over (from his toes to his ears and ear canals). He nose started running and got stopped up. He eventually developed hives. I noticed a few burps, but he didn’t complain about a stomach ache. I gave him Benadryl and most of the symptoms have gone away. He’s still very flushed and his face looks swollen.

When he had the 1st reaction this summer, his breathing was compromised. I was close to the doctor’s office and took him there. The doctor instructed me to give him an epi-Pen injection (prescribed for his egg allergy.) We didn’t know what he was reacting to, but I remember clearly that he had a banana that day. In the following months, he had two more reactions. I began to suspect bananas and ORAL ALLERGY SYNDROME. I discussed this possibility with his allergist. The allergist does not belive that he suffers from Oral Allergy Syndrome because the sympoms are supposed to be limited to the mouth.

He eats bananas regularly and usually doesn’t have issues, which is why it has taken me so long to figure this out. It must be just the gas-ripened bananas that are causing the problem. For dinner tonight, he had cereal and a banana. The banana was small and a little green. I know he had a banana the day I had to use the Epi-Pen on him. I believe he may have had bananas the other two times he had reactions.

So from reading all the posts, I am seeing two kinds of reactions – stomach cramps and hives/itching. Some of you just have one type of symptoms and some of you have both, but it seems that the culprit for everyone is bananas. Do any of you notice that you react to some kinds of bananas and not others? Has anyone had a reaction to organic bananas?

By Stephanie F. on Feb 16, 2009

I forgot to mention that 5 yr. old son’s symptoms did not start until 4 hours or so after ingestion. He’s eaten lots of bananas with no reaction, but I am now sure that the times he had reactions that a banana was somehow involved. Anyone with similar experiences, especially with a child, is welcome to e-mail me at stephlf@swbell.net.

By Stephanie F. on Feb 16, 2009

me again. I talked to my son this morning to make sure he didn’t have any gastrointestinal issues and he didn’t, but I think the agent (or agents) that is causing the gas might be related to what is causing the allergy. I saw in one post that some can eat the Chiquita brand and not Dole. I am convinced that my son is having either some sort of cross-reactivity OR is only allergic to a certain type of banana. He’s only 5 and I don’t want to condemn him to a life without bananas. He already can’t eat eggs or anything with eggs. His older sister is egg/nut allergic, so I had him tested before I ever gave him eggs. He tested + for an egg allergy, so I’ve never given him eggs or anything with eggs as an ingredient. I don’t want to totally cut out bananas if is a cross-reactivity or only a certain kind of bananas. He can eat cantaloupe but I don’t know about avocado. I don’t eat it and I’ve never given it to him. I am not aware that he has any other food allergies and he has been tested for several foods. I also haven’t noticed any issues with latex. He is allergic to various grasses and molds. As mentioned, sister has a nut/egg allergy. Older brother has severe grass allergies, but no known food allergies.

The kind of banana he reacted to was Dole. It was small, bright yellow with a green stem, some brown marks but no spots (possibly gas-ripened); the peel was firm and thick, the inside fruit was very firm and tart. I have noticed that some people can eat some types of bananas and others are scared to take another bite. Those of you who have sworn them off, any possibility you could try different kinds (ripe, unripe, Dole, Chiquita, Organic) in small quantities as an experiment to see if it is all bananas or just one kind? Someone also mentioned that they are ok if they cut the bananas in thin slices and let them “air out”.

Also, if you experience any kind of itching, swelling, flushness – take Benadryl, Zyrtec or some kind of anti-histamine to help. My son was much better only 20 min. after taking Benadryl.

By Tammi on Feb 17, 2009

I am 46 and have not been able to eat bananas since I was a small child. I get excrutiating abdominal pain. Over the years, more things have been added to the list of things I can’t eat….. because of the same type of abdominal pain. Avacados, honeydew melon, cantaloupe. Today I ate a pear and had a stomach ache. I’ve gotten them from certain fresh veggies, too. But not every time. I will not touch melon, banana or avacodo, though.

By Alan on Mar 25, 2009

I guess I’m late to the party, but I thought I’d chime in. I just ate a banana for breakfast, and within five minutes I’m looking for antacid tablets. This has been a somewhat regular occurrence after eating bananas, but is worst on an empty stomach. I always thought bananas were supposed to be a food that is mild on your stomach since it’s low in acid and high in carbohydrates, so it never really seemed like it should be the cause of my issues. But I finally googled it and found this page. It seems to happen with both sligtly green or ripe bananas.

It’s interesting to see that so many of the posts are from people in their 20’s. I just turned 30 and this started a couple years ago for me. I also developed allergies to cats and pollen in my 20’s. I lived with cats as a child without any problems.

By Shasta on Mar 27, 2009

I also just developed an allergy for bananas. The only fruit I enjoyed eating. While researching on the internet I found alot of sites that said people who are allergic to bananas tend to be allergic to avocado, kiwi, chestnuts and latex. I love avocados and haven’t had a reaction yet. I’m tempted to try a kiwi to see what happens. Has anyone noticed if the symptoms have gotten worse as you get older or are they the same?

By Danny on Mar 28, 2009

So glad i found this post. I always thought ‘who in the world could be allergic to bananas?!’ and it’s good to know I’m not the only one.

I do not experience ANY stomach or abdominal pains. I do however experience EXTREME itch/discomfort in my mouth/tongue/throat and feel like my tonsils get swollen. I’ve noticed that this reaction extends beyond bananas to also include:

Avacado/Guacamole (a huge staple in my family as we are Mexican)
Cantalope
Pineapple
Watermelon
Pecans
Mandarin Oranges
Kiwi

For a second, I thought I was allergic to ripe fruit but noticed it didn’t really make a difference.

I have learned to deal with the severe itchy mouth as I will not allow what i feel is a ridiculous allergy to prevent me from enjoying common foods; however often times I tend to avoid these items.

By Taara on Mar 31, 2009

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WEBSITE!!!!! I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out what I have for the past two months. I have been having severe abdominal cramping 1-2 hours after I eat for the past few months. Doctors have put me through the gamut of tests and fixated on gall bladder issues for the longest time. It was ruled out this morning when all my tests came back negative. I’ve been keeping a food journal for the past two weeks and have noticed attacks are particularly intense after eating a banana. So much for the BRAT diet!!!! Thanks to this site and all your comments, I have another potential cause to explore. Now the question is, is it food allergy (immune-related) or food intolerance (digestive related)? If food allergy, is it latex syndrome or OAS? If intolerance, is it salicylates or amines? If I hear anything, I’ll come back and post it here. If any of you have some suggestions, please post them! THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!

By Taara on Mar 31, 2009

Danny,

Your symptoms sound like you have Oral Allergy Symptom (OAS), which is a true allergy (not an intolerance). You may want to check out a website like the following:
http://allergies.about.com/od/foodallergies/a/oas.htm. Please get tested, since this condition could lead to a serious allergic reaction. Good luck!

By Amber on Apr 1, 2009

I am among the many suffers, who in a search for answers have only found this site. But thank god, my husband thought I was crazy!! My reactions are severe w/ Bananas and Avacados. Eggs are bad to, but let severe and don’t last as long. I wish there was a doctor who could comment on this. I will give the Beano a try, but dread the side effects if it doesn’t. I love bananas and guacamole, but haven’t eaten either in years!! I am 30 now, and the reaction started about 3 years ago. I had my gallbladder removed 5 years ago, so I know it’s not a problem there.

By angie on Apr 13, 2009

So, ironically enough my stomach pain also started when I was about 21, it started out with a mild stomach ache in the right upper quadrent of my abdomen. Over the years what started out has a mild stomach ache turned into a very painful, lay me out on the floor in a ball kind of pain. I have found an ice pack over the area can really help ease the pain. Over the years I have added many foods. First bananas, then avacados, grapes taco johns food (can still eat taco bell though! wierd right?), and the most recent food is almonds. at most I can eat one two bites of these foods but if I were to eat a whole bunch of grapes, for instance, i would be very sick. I had my gall bladder tested a few years back but the test were inconclusive, so nothing ever came of it. I am curious to know if anyone that posted to this blog suffers from GERD (Acid Reflux)? I have been suffering from these weird food reactions for 10 years now and it’s great to finally have someone understand what I’m talking about.

By anon on Apr 15, 2009

Wow! Lots of people with this issue!

I just wanted to add myself to the list of people with the “avacado problem”.

I am a 24 year old female with no known allergies. I have a sensitivity to oranges.

Yesterday, I ate half an avacado after not eating all day and about 30 min later I was overwhelmed by stomach cramps that lasted for approx. 3-4 hrs. Kinda embarassing to admit, but the pain was accompanied by foul, sulfurous smelling gas.

This evening I treated myself to sushi. I’ve been to this place at least a dozen times. I had a soy sheet roll with crab and AVACADO along with some seared tuna. Within 30 min (again) severe stomach cramps and sulfurous gas. This time I actually had diarrhea.

Thinking back, I can trace this problem a year back to similar incidents.

I think this may have something to do with what kind of foods I eat avacados with. For example:
raw, plain, by themselves= cramps!
a slice or two on a veggie burger= fine.

I never eat bananas by themselves (I don’t like the texture). I usually have them in a smoothie with other fruits or as a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

I may have to try a banana by itself just to see if it causes the same symptoms.

Thanks everyone for contributing! Nice to know I’m not alone.

By anon on Apr 15, 2009

Also, just was reading some more posts and I remembered…

I have also had the same reaction to egg yolks and raw almonds.

I adopted a vegetarian diet about a year ago. Anyone else here vegetarian?

By TonyaM on Apr 20, 2009

I think that this is the answer for my banana/avocodo problem (and to a lesser degree, certain nuts, pineapple, etc). The link below is an article that appeared in The Star about Amine Intolerance. After reading this I Googled “Amine Intolerance” and “Amine Rich Foods” and the results were very interesting.

http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2007/5/23/columnists/foodsafety/17792487&sec=Food%20Safety

By TonyaM on Apr 20, 2009

And here’s a another good link on Saliciylates and Amines. Apparently people you have one sensitivity apparently often have the other as well.

http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/resources/foodintol/salicylates.cfm

By April on May 2, 2009

I searched for “banana intolerance” and found this site. I have Celiac Disease/gluten intolerance, and I have noticed that sometimes bananas seem to trigger some of my gluten intolerance symptoms. When I was really sick, losing weight and first diagnosed with Celiac Diease, sometimes even the smell of a banana could send me to the bathroom. I’ve been gluten free and healed up for a couple of years now, but I still have occasional issues with bananas triggering my Celiac symptoms. I seem to be fine with avacadoes, so i don’t think it’s latex in my case.

By kelly on May 4, 2009

Uggh! I made my discovery that bananas made me feel awful my freshman year of college. I had no prior problems, but would have to endure a three hour bio lab with gut wrenching pains and sweats after eating a banana for lunch! I also discovered that I would suffer if I ate a Wendy’s (or other fast food chain) salad. It happened once at a fine restaurant with salad, too. So, I have steered clear of such places/ foods for 22 years, and just figured I had a weird allergy or something. Now, I’ve eaten a pear, which I don’t eat too many of, and have had the same awful feeling for two hours! I’m checking out the ethylene gas theory. Nice to know there are others out there!

By LILY on May 11, 2009

So, I just came back from the hospital getting tested for gallbladder issues after telling my doctor my nightmarish upper abdomen pain.

I feel like theres a hole being bored into my stomach, and all I want to do is ball up and hold my stomach until a few hours go by. I first started experiencing “a reaction” to bananas around 17 years old.

I first thought it would only happen when I ate bananas in the morning on an empty stomach. Then, I noticed it was anytime I had a pretty empty stomach. Finally 3 days ago I realized it happens everytime I eat a raw banana. No problem with banana as an ingredient in other foods or when its cooked.

So I had a banana 3 days ago around midday with a cup of cereal and milk (my ADORATION of bananas made me foolishly think that the cereal and milk would add “padding” and prevent the pain). I was WRONG!!!

First came the pain about 10 minutes after eating the banana. Violent, gut-wrencthing, you think you’re going to die burning pain. Some burping, dizziness, nausea, and general all-over feeling like… you know.

After downing about half a bottle of Maximum Strength Mylanta (cold because I keep it in the fridge), and 2 hours later, the pain subsided only to be followed by watery diarrea for the next day and a half.

Yesterday after dinner at 5pm (which was a variety of things being that it was Spanish Tapas), the pain returned. Was it something else I ate at dinner? Was it left over irritation combined with 1 mimosa too much for my stomache to handle? In any case it started again. This time I was confused, since as far as I know, there were no bananas in my food.

So, I’m off on a sick day from work, I head straight to the doc after thinking I would just pass out from the burning pain, nausea/vomiting, and non-stop diarrea all night.

So I go to the doctor and then straight to the hospital to get an ultra sound to rule out ulcers and gallbladder issues. Ruled out. He’s confused and looks at me like I have three heads when I tell him about how this all started with a banana. Determined to finally find a reason for this, I found this site.

All the information here has really opened up my mind to other possibilities: the ethylene gas or ethylene glycol, the amines, the chitines protein… I will do more research.

I will state this also happens to me when I eat a large quantity of watermelon. I’ve never had raw brocoli, but I will for research sake and “take one for the team” as they say. I also always notice some slight heartburn and burping after eating canteloupe. I’m determined to find the cause. I’m a clinical psychologist and THIS is driving me nuts… wait..I mean bananas… lol.

For anyone wanting to keep posted on this issue I suggest starting a group on Facebook. I am already in Facebook, so please feel free to find me and help each other figure this out.

LILY ALATORRE from Chicago, IL

By Journey on May 16, 2009

I’m 29 and so happy I am not alone. Bananas make me extremely ill. I discovered this 3 years ago. First banana’s then cucumbers…..ugh

By natasha on May 17, 2009

Okay, so I have the same problem with bananas, avacados, eggs, and now I just discovered cashews. So I’m thinking it’s a natural fat issue here. I’m so glad to hear, well not really, but to know that other people have this and can relate.

By Jenny on May 20, 2009

Wow…I am 29 and just started having this problem early this year. I haven’t had a banana in months and ate one today and was in pain. I wish I could figure out why. I had my gallbladder out at 21 so I don’t think it has anything to do with that. But it does feel like I am having a gallbladder attack. Weird.

By Ryan on May 21, 2009

Eureka! I wonder if Mr. Hendricks had any idea his bad banana day would draw this kind of attention (#2 on the list when I googled “banana stomach ache”).

I started developing nasty stomach aches during the two years I spent in South America, at (you guessed it) age 19-21. Never connected it to the “palta” (Chilean word for guacamole) commonly spread over bread and eaten more or less daily. Also ate a lot of kiwi there. I vividly remember standing on a lonely street, doubled-over in pain, hoping, praying, waiting for the scant public transportation that is available at 3:00 AM to get to a hospital. The stomach attacks continued randomly (or so I thought) when I returned home to the states so I started going to specialists. X-rays, blood work, I was told it was probably IBS, but the gastro-enterologist didn’t seem to have any conclusive ideas. For a long while I suspected cilantro was one of the triggers, because I usually had problems after eating at Mexican restaurants (unfortunately for me, my favorite kind). It was only a few years ago, after a salad that happened to have avocado slices triggered an attack, that the lightbulb finally went on and I realized it was the avocado! Curiously, I had the same flare-ups with honey-dew, cantaloupe, and watermelon. Not always, but I began to see a pattern. On a business trip years ago, had a crazy Jamba Juice incident, just like the blog describes, sent me back to the hotel. So I began to suspect bananas and avoid them too.

Then last week a co-worker forwarded me one of those emails (probably written by the banana industry) extolling the virtues and health benefits of bananas, so I thought “alright, I’ll try one more time.” Bought some organic bananas, thinking it might make a difference. Had the first one Tuesday. No problems. Whew. Ate a second banana yesterday, no problems. Double-Whew! Maybe organic is the key! Then I had the third banana from the bunch today and had to leave work with the abominable abdominal. Finally decided to see if anyone else has ever had problems with bananas and lo and behold, this page! Head-bobbing experience to read through post after post.

For me it’s a gradual build, 30 minutes to an hour after the banana/avocado/cantalope. You can feel it coming with a growing sense of dread, seems to come in waves of intense abdominal discomfort, you feel like it’s subsiding, it hits you again, then gradually subsides. I guess misery loves company because 4 hours after my last (and I mean LAST!) banana, I’ve found all of you. :-)

Best wishes.

By Laura on May 22, 2009

I have been having the same problems. Sometimes they are worse than others. Anyways, after reading majority of posts I wanted to let you all know that this website mentioned that seratonin in bananas can cause this cramping. check it out!!
http://www.allergies-team.com/a23-help-i-am-allergic-to-banana.php

By CYNDEE on May 24, 2009

Hallelujah! And thanks so much for all the info!

By Kylie on May 26, 2009

AMAZING! Like there is a website dedicated to this, it’s great to know I’m not alone. I started getting bad stomach aches that would put me in bed for hours after eatin bananas & avocado when I was 21, that was 9 years ago. I tried my luck this week at having a banana, and have decided self harm is not cool. I will never be eating a banana again!

By Chrissy on May 26, 2009

WOW – I couldn’t believe it when I found this site. I too have the same “allegies” to bananas/avacados/cantelope. I first developed the severe cramping in 1997 (age 26) and basically removed them from my diet. Then avacados in early 2000 and last night with catelope (up for 5 hours with the stomach cramps after only eating 3 bite-size pieces). I had my gallbladder removed in 2004 and tried eating bananas shortly thereafter; hoping that I would be fine…NOT! Thanks to all of you for sharing – at least I’m not alone!!

By Jan on May 28, 2009

My reaction to raw bananas started in my twenties, some 30 years ago. It is bananas only. I don’t have celiac disease, latex allergy, or a fractious gall bladder. No problem with any other foods.

I love bananas (a familiar refrain on this page!), so was not happy to figure out that they suddenly caused 2-3 hours of acute abdominal pain. If only I could have that reaction to chocolate instead….

My grandfather only ever ate “black” bananas — the kind you and I would consign to banana bread or the compost heap. Now I wonder if maybe he had the same problem.

I only ever thought that I had lost the ability to digest raw bananas, the same way many people become lactose intolerant in adulthood, not that it was an allergy.

The pain is so bad, I’m rather afraid to try them again. But I’m going to nibble on an organic banana and see what happens — it would be lovely to be able to eat bananas again.

This page is probably 90% of the resources on banana intolerance I’ve ever found. Along with you, I’m delighted to no longer be weird all alone.

By marci on Jun 5, 2009

Wow so happy to know I am not alone. When I eat bananas they just bloat me up. I am so uncomfortable and if I drink coffee or soda with them it is even worse. I to looked up bananas stomach problems and all it say is to eat them. So glad I found this! I thought I was crazy.

By Char on Jun 6, 2009

I can’t believe that with so many people who get “banana belly” I’ve never met one! Thank Goodness I did some research, even though I don’t know why bananas hurt me, I now Know that I’m not alone. It started in my early 20’s as well. I swore off bananas, but every couple of years I eat one to see if maybe the allergy is gone. (Like today, and it’s not!) Thank you to everyone who have shared their stories, my stomach is still burning, but reading this has made me feel a lot better!

By Karl on Jun 7, 2009

OMG! Make it stop! I’ve been noticing and narrowing down the culprit on severe stomach cramps (and other fun) for a while. Now i’m convinced it was the banana. made myself a protein/carb recovery shake after a 4 mile run and decided to throw in a banana for fun. What a mistake! I am 35 and not allergic to a single thing, other than this. I don’t regularly eat bananas so rounding this down has taken a while. I can tell you right now I will never be eating another banana ever! I’m not going through this again. Not a huge fan of bananas anyway, which is a shame because they’re so good for you. if anyone finds out why, I’d love to know. Maybe the forced-ripe gassing chemicals, who knows.

By Susie on Jun 9, 2009

Long thread here…has anyone mentioned throwing up? Since about age 30 if I eat a banana I throw up within about 5 minutes. I’ve found I can eat one bite and I’ll be okay, but I don’t push it beyond that anymore. Don’t know if I’d have the same reaction with banana bread because I don’t eat it. I used to work at a restaurant and when the bananas would get too black to sell the owner would take them home to make banana bread. That would gross me out, so I’ve never been able to even think about eating a slice of it. I generally have a very strong stomach and no other food allergies that I know of. Just this one. And I love the taste of bananas…grew up slicing them on my cereal most every day.

By Allan on Jun 9, 2009

I’ve always disliked bananas. The smell, the texture, and the taste. When my mother was alive she told me I never liked them. Recently I was at a friends place and he was making a fruit smoothie and it had banana in it. Being polite, I accepted a glass. It didn’t taste overly like bananas so I consumed it. Within an hour or so I was horribly ill. I have never puked so much in all my life, including some massive drunken days. My mother didn’t tell me I was allergic, and I didn’t try consuming them until now. I am now 62 an have eaten my last bite of banana.

By Nirmal on Jun 25, 2009

Yes, I was 25 when I had my first banana stomach pain episode. I didn’t know what it was. I was at school and had to walk home because I was a poor student who had to choose between food and bus fare – the good ol days. I figured out after a while it was bananas.

People have laughed when I tell them I’m allergic to bananas. I am CONTEMPLATING trying organic bananas on Friday so that if I’m sick I won’t have to deal with it on a work day. I do miss them and live vicariously through my husband’s consumption! LOL!

I’ve looked for information too, and I now I can tell people I’m not the only one.

By Athena on Jun 27, 2009

I just found this website and am very surprised that my problem with bananas causes the same pain for other people as it does for me. I would have a banana a couple times a week since i can remember, and then last year, all of a sudden i started getting really painful stomach cramps shortly after eating a banana. Like many others, not when i have banana bread, but any other time i would i would get the intense pain and bloated feeling. Then today i had the same thing happen, only this time i know it was from eating avacado. Last week i had the really bad stomach ache and couldnt figure out why.. and then today it happened again and i remembered that both days i had guacomole. This is ridiculous.. But i find some comfort knowing i am not the only one..

By Athena on Jun 27, 2009

(con’t) I forgot to add that i am 25 years old, and i have never had any problems eating avacodo before last week.. I think i ill try beano that ive read some people has said helps, i just hope i dont have a serious problem.

By Shelby on Jun 29, 2009

I am mid-50s and this just started about 2 1/2 months ago. I have cancer so had just started radiation. The doctors thought it must be gallbladder because of my symptoms. The same killing pain. I mean I went through 2 years of chemo (many versions) and was NEVER as sick as I was with this. Finally last week I started saying well the banana seems to be the only common denominator. Well this morning sealed it. I ate a banana at work and within 10 minutes was SOOO miserable. That is when I started looking on the internet – cause who would ever believe bananas could make you feel this way. WOW They may have good nutrition but I will have to get it another way. At least I won’t have to have gallbladder surgery.

By Kate on Jun 30, 2009

Ugh, big mistake eating a banana for breakfast. I have known about my latex allergies for years now (I am 19) but avocados have never given me any sort of reaction. I did not eat bananas for about two years up at college – now the “banana belly” is out in full force and I am stuck at work…this is only the second time this has happened, but now I definitely know it was the banana. Last week I thought it was the chinese food. Nope. Banana for lunch, terrible stomach pains almost like cramps 10-20 minutes later and lasting for hours. I just want to go home and lie down :(

Reading all of these stories has helped me deal a little bit though, thank you, Internet! I am just sad to think one day I may not be able to eat my beloved avocados or mangoes…

By Bren on Jul 2, 2009

Hello,

I am sorry that others seem to have the same problem as I do but yet in one way it is nice to see I am not crazy.

I have eaten bananas all my life with no problem, but in the last 4 years I cannot eat a banana because I have the worst stomach ache, and diareha (sp). Oh, I feel as if I might die and I am so sick that it is awful. I ate a banana about 4 years ago and these symptoms began but I thought after 4 years I would try it again and Wow the same thing happened. I NEVER want to see a banana again and I used to love them. I do think it is because of the fresh bananas and the cooked ones never bother me.

If anyone finds out more information I would be interested in it.
Bren

By Mya's Grandmommy on Jul 4, 2009

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!! FINALLY, OTHERS WITH THIS DISORDER. My 1st bout w/the banana demon was in 1973, I was 22 (my daughter was 3)& I still had my gall bladder. I’d loved & eaten banana’s all my life..no problem. Had a banana the morning of a trip to Great Adventure w/my brother & friends, the pain was so intense I almost canceled the trip, I truly thought I had something fatal. We left early in the morning (still dark-due to a 2 hr. drive)I was light headed & in severe pain til late afternoon. It didn’t dawn on me until 4 or 5 other banana encounters what the culprit was but it finally hit home, so I avoided the fruit I loved.
In 1995 I had my gall bladder out. In 2006 I went to Christmas Dinner at my daughters(now 36 yrs. old) in-laws. My Daughter made one of my childhood favorites, Banana Pudding. I ate 2 helpings and 40 min. later thought I might die from the intense pain. So, obviously age has nothing to do with this ailment. Ive had it for 36 yrs. It doesn’t seem to be related w/ the gall bladder removal. I will definitely try the other suggestions, cooking, beano, etc. Anything that might enable me to have those wonderful bananas again.
I would like to thank kevin for posting this blog in 2004…I thought I was the only one with this peculiar malady.
My best wishes to all the other sufferers!

By Jane on Jul 8, 2009

I’ve had a banana intolerance or allergy since early childhood. Now 56. One of my two sons also. The immune-stimulating part is protein. Other intolerances: cashews and pineapple. I’ve read that the proteins in pineapple and banana are similar. Cooking bananas (as in banana bread)seems to denature the protein rendering it harmless. I have not dared experiment with cooking pineapple or cashews. One more recently-discovered intolerance: cilantro.
I love the taste of all of above, just get the debilitating stomach pain.

Here is a list of studies involving
banana and latex allergies. I used to have
skin rash after latex contact.

http://foodallergens.ifr.ac.uk/clinical.lasso?selected_food=5

By mike on Jul 14, 2009

I began eating bananas in earnest (daily) about a year ago and suffered no pain. I then stopped eating them for a span of months. Now when I return to bananas, I get the stomach aches.

Is this more or less the shape of others’ experience? Normal banana consumption for long years; a span of increased banana consumption; a return to low banana consumption; passage of a few months; finally the present and hopefully not permanent stage of raw banana triggering intense stomach pain. Does this pattern fit with the rest of you?

By mike on Jul 14, 2009

Three Tips for Relief:

1. While most stomach aches may be soothed by doubling over — stomach to the knees — I have found that this is ineffective for banana pain. Instead, arching the back and thrusting the shoulders backward so the abdomen is stretched offers some relief.

2. Beverages and other foods seem only to amplify the discomfort.

3. If truly desperate — perhaps you have an important test or meeting imminent — I would have to think that inducing regurgitation, especially if the banana has been consumed recently, would dull the pain significantly.

By Chandran Butcher on Jul 23, 2009

I am a mother of two boys 12 and 3. Both of my boys have had allergic reactions to bananas thier whole life. When my oldest was an infant he absolutely loved bananas! he was just starting solids and I began to have a really fussy baby.he would scream for hours,had chronic diarreah and vomiting. Being a young mother I had no clue what was going on and apparently neither did anyone else! after months of this on and off I started back to square one .I took away all the foods and started introducing them one at a time for 5 days each,all were fine until I got to bananas. the first two days he was fine but the third day it started all over again. Knowing he had not had any other foods in that three day period I instantly knew I had found the problem. At that time back in 1997 even I had never heard of banana allergies. I have tried to give it to him several times in his lifetime and each time after 72 hours of ingestion came the vomiting cramps and diarrea comes. Has anyone else expierienced the 72 hour delay?
I have enjoyed bananas all my life but with my oldest being allergic I had to hide them because he loved them. When I was pregnant with my youngest I got sick everytime I ate them. After he was born I could eat them again. I was very hesitant to introduce bananas to him so I waited until he had cleared all other foods first. Sure enough within 72 hours (on the third day) he was vomiting and all. WHat are the chances that both my boys could have the same allergy? still everytime someone forgets they get really sick. My oldest knows not to eat them but my youngest loves them and begs for them if he sees them!still happens 72 hours later! to my knowledge they are not allergic to latex or nuts.some mild irritations come with really acidic fruits like pineapple.

By Marcos on Jul 26, 2009

I’m glad I found this site. I’m 31 and have eaten bananas all my life. I even used to live in the Dominican Republic and ate bananas daily.

I stopped eating them a few years ago because I got a dull stomach ache. Then just last week I decided to try one. Immediately, my tongue and throat started to itch. This was followed by about 45 minutes of stomach pain and a bit of nasuea. I’m also allergic to peanuts and get a very similar reaction.

Like others have mentioned though, cooking the bananas seems to fix the problem. I love fried plantains and they don’t seem to give me any problem.

Kiwi fruit also gives me the itching in my throat but not the stomach ache. And avocados give me a dull stomach ache.

By Jason Staczek on Jul 27, 2009

My symptoms are exactly the same. 45 minutes after eating banana or avocado the pain starts and comes in waves for 2-4 hours. Nothing to do but lie in bed and suffer. Then the next day, my lower back aches like someone was kicking me in the liver. Takes two days for me to feel normal again. And it all started in my early 20’s. Same with mango, papaya, salmon and basil, of all things!

What do the doctors say? “Don’t eat banana or avocado”. Pretty amazing that there are 330 responses here and modern medicine still hasn’t found a solution.

By Shauna Frank on Jul 30, 2009

I am having the same problem but it also happens with avocados which is the main ingredient in guacamole which i used to love! The pain is very strange. Its like my stomach has gears and bananas and avocados jam the gears for 3-4 hours. All i can do is wince in pain in the fetal position. I have eaten both foods all my life and just recently (1 year or less) I have noticed what these foods do to my tummy. Good Luck to all of you who have these “allergies”.

By Shauna Frank on Jul 30, 2009

I am having the same problem but it also happens with avocados which is the main ingredient in guacamole which i used to love! The pain is very strange. Its like my stomach has gears and bananas and avocados jam the gears for 3-4 hours. All i can do is wince in pain in the fetal position. I have eaten both foods all my life and just recently (1 year or less) I have noticed what these foods do to my tummy. Good Luck to all of you who have these “allergies”. If anyone comes up with a cure let us all know please!

By Shauna Frank on Jul 30, 2009

I am thinking that it may be the way avocados and bananas grow and they both have a filmy sheath inside which may do something to our stomach linings?? Just a guess :)

By nicole on Aug 4, 2009

thank you, thank you. i will never eat another banana. i appreciate this information so much. my banana belly started to hurt after eating a chocolate covered frozen banana. i think it happened two weeks ago too. i am going to do some more research on this topic using the information from reading all of your stories. good luck to everyone. i feel your pain

By Bobby on Aug 7, 2009

OMG. So I ate a Banana about 5 hours ago and my stomach instantly started hurting. About 30 minutes after I ate the banana I thought I was going to throw up and ran to the bathroom. Then I felt like maybe I should just take a #2 since I felt the onset of diarrhea. Sure was!! Stomach started to hurt more and I was sweating bullets. I never been that sweaty before. I decided to take a shower and felt better. When I got out, I ran to the bathroom 2 more times and all diarrhea. This has been like this for me EVERYTIME I eat bananas for the past year. Prior to the last year, I never had this happen in my entire LIFE.

By Bobby on Aug 7, 2009

I just posted my case above. I forgot to mention, after I finshed the banana and swallowed the last bite, my mouth got this furry, slighlty itchy feeling and wierd aftertaste. I drank a gulp of milk and then some water to get the taste out…. But the pains got me and I felt like ish….

God bless Kevin Hendricks, you are a savior to mankind. You really are!!!

By Tina on Aug 7, 2009

I just found this site as well…I have had an issue with raw bananas since I was a kid. I used to LOVE the frozen, chocolate dipped bananas from Dairy Queen. I hadn’t had one in quite some time, and when I ate it, I remembered why. I’ve always considered it an “allergy” and…don’t laugh…but I even ate one once on purpose to miss a day of school when I was a teenager! Like most of you, I have no problems when it’s cooked. Over the years I’ve discovered other foods that cause the same problems…raw broccoli (good thing I don’t like it), avocado, and I just moments ago realized I can’t eat cantoulope!! I’d have to say the potassium problem makes the most sense. I’m 40 and have been dealing with the banana issue for 30+ years and broccoli for about 15 years (I can’t have broccoli when I eat out for fear it won’t be cooked enough). I’m wondering what else is out there that I haven’t discovered yet!

By allergictobananas on Aug 9, 2009

Ugh. I accidentally ate a banana…and am in painnn. What stinks is my parents thinking that my stomach cramps are all psychological. Now I can prove that banana allergies do exist!!

By Ser on Aug 12, 2009

Some things that help me with this pain associated with eating avocado:

Rolaids ‘Plus’ Gas relief chews
Beano
carbonated fizzy drinks

By Tricia on Aug 13, 2009

Well, I obviously did not read every post here, but I too have had severe reactions to certain foods, and as I recall I had such a stomach gas buildup it made me double over and I thought I was going to die the first time. It took many occurences until I figured out it was mushrooms causing it, which makes sense because I’m allergic to penicillin.

Later I had a similar reaction to brocolli and cantaloupe. I would say I have an intolerance to these foods, and I avoid them. I miss cantaloupe the most, especially when I have to prepare it for others and can’t eat any.

By Diane on Aug 15, 2009

Well, go ahead and add me to the banana band-wagon…..I too, figured out it was the bananas, which were giving me severe stomach cramps, gas, and leg-cramps in the middle of the night. I absolutely found the link over years of trying every once in a while to add bananas to my diet. I am an extremely healthy eater, and wish I could eat them, but they definitely create symptoms. I too, can eat them cooked in something, and sometimes eat one in the morning. If I try to eat them on a daily basis, or pick one up in the afternoon: I am doomed! I am 42 years old.

By Elizabeth on Sep 20, 2009

Enjoyed reading all of the posts from fellow avocado / banana / cantaloupe stomach agony sufferers! At least I am not alone.

Like a previous poster, I too had a C-section (12 years ago) with my first pregnancy (age 29), and that is when everything went south. I have had asthma and allergies (pets, hayfever) all my life but other than eggs and shellfish I could eat fruit and vegetables, peanut butter – whatever. 6 weeks after the C-section after several weeks of terrible stomach pain I had my gallbladder removed – perhaps that wasn’t necessary! For the past 12 years, I have struggled to identify the foods that give me trouble. Definitely bananas – haven’t had them now for years. Just went through a bout today due to 3 slices of avocado. Had my first cantaloupe episode about 3 weeks ago – Note that it is ragweed season, so that is perhaps why I am reacting more powerfully than other times of the year…

Good luck all…

By Jen on Sep 28, 2009

For years I have been suffering from banana and avocado related stomachaches. I was beginning to think I was crazy until I came upon this website. I used to eat bananas quite frequently when I was younger without problems. It all changed one morning when I was 12 years old, i had a PB& banana bagel and about an hour later I had the most intense pain in my stomach. It took a few hours for it to subside but then I was okay. I am now 24 and I couldn’t even tell you the last time I’ve dared to try a banana because the pain is so bad. I had it once in a fruit salad with little tiny pieces chopped up and the reaction was just as bad.

I also have problems with avocado.. if I eat too much sushi with pieces in it or guacamole, I have a terrible stomachache for hours. I have seasonal allergies and complained to my allergist about the banana related issues and he tested me and it came up negative. I’m glad to see that so many others feel the same way that I do, and I hope that someday someone can get to the bottom of this mystery of banana avocado related stomach issues!

By Rebecca on Oct 7, 2009

Like so many before me, I too have been reading everyone’s posts and have such excruciating pain from eating Bananas and Avacados that I want to curl up, vomit, and then just pass out until it’s all over.
I thought I was the only one out there who felt like this, with my family and friends thinking I was making all of this up. It is so hard to be in your twenties living in a large city and go out for margaritas and not be able to enjoy chips, salsa and “guac”. In addition, I am a runner and after all races bananas are given out and unfortunately I never get to enjoy them because the cramps in my stomach will be worse than any runners cramp imaginable.
Thanks to all for making me feel normal.

By Kelsey on Oct 7, 2009

I am pretty sure that bananas are causing my abdominal pain as well. It’s not like a regular stomach ache though. It feels like I am doing a constant sit up. It’s mostly in my upper abdomin. I am 20 years old and this has happened to me about 5 times now in the past couple weeks. Before this it never happened. I am not 100 % positive it’s bananas but I don’t want to eat another one to try to find out.

By Stephanie on Oct 8, 2009

Yup, having the same issues here. I have noticed though if I force myself to eat something on top of it, like a graham cracker or drink milk, the problem is significantly less, although still present. I have had my gallbladder out.

Has anyone linked this to heartburn? Bananas are one of the most acidic fruits and I don’t notice a problem if I have taken antacids. Just a thought. It stinks. I’m a picky eater and bananas are one of my favorites.

My pain doesn’t happen all the time, just MOST of the time. Still haven’t figured it out. Thanks for this site!

By Shelby on Oct 15, 2009

My stomach is killing me, over the past few months have had stomach pains from bannanas, am 18years old and have never had a problem before. Maybe our digestive system changes when we are full adults? This should be looked into more as have never had a problem eating foods and now cannot eat bannanas its very upsetting and a bit scary.
There seems to be hundreds of people who suffer with this when they hit adulthood but no ways to ease the pain or any reasons as to why its happening.

Wants answers x

By David on Oct 22, 2009

I had problems with avocados and bananas causing upset stomach. I can eat both now with out issue I stopped drinking pop/soda and made sure I was getting enough sodium (sea salt). If you have a potassium sodium imbalance you will get stomach aches from bananas.

I including the keywords below for people who don’t want to read all 300+ posts.

Keywords: answer, solution, fix, cause

By Renne on Nov 4, 2009

Wow, I am happy to know that I am not the only one who gets an upset stomach from bananas. I started getting them 2 years age-I’m 24 now. I recently started to eat them again, thinking that maybe it was all in my mind or something. I have been ate them almost daily for about 2 weeks, then last week I started to get the same exact stomach pain I did before. It starts about an hour or so after I eat the banana and then just gets worse and lasts for 1-3 hours. Now I’m starting to get the pains after I’ve eaten foods aside from bananas!! Last nigh I have some fried plantain (kinda like a banana) and chicken and I had terrible stomach pains for about 5 hours! Any thoughts?!? Ideas to get better? I’m afraid to eat, I don’t want this pain while I’m working!!

By a.c. on Dec 10, 2009

Wow – I can’t believe this site.
For the longest time people didn’t believe me when I said it was the bananas making me sick.
Im 29 and starting last December I began to experience extreme upper stomach pain (that makes me feel like I need to go to the toilet) sweating and on one occastion vomiting.

Like many people have already posted, I love bananas. I have been eating them since I was a child and am especially fond of banana smoothies. Now I have to cut them completly out of my diet. The reaction time to eating the banana is anywhere from 15mins to 30 mins and generally lasts for at least 2 hours.

Im glad to see im not the only one going through this.
I haven’t had a reaction to any other foods, so far only bananas.
It would be great if we knew what was causing this!

By a.c. on Dec 10, 2009

http://www.ehow.com/about_5499083_do-bananas-give-stomach-cramps.html

right after posting this I found this site…

By Renee' on Dec 16, 2009

Unbelievable…finally others that have the same symtoms after eating a banana as I do. I used to be able to eat them until one morning before work I had one and about 2 hours into my shift (I was a CNA then)thinking I had caught some awful stomach virus from a resident. Water wouldn’t relieve as a matter of fact seemed to make it worse. Nurses gave me antacids, pepto, I tried everything, crackers, dry bread. They sent me to a DR (this was in the mid 80’s) he said I probably had an ulcer. I to this day have no idea what caused that pain until now…I gave up bananas for all these years and I had some the other day…just a bit and I was fine. I waited a few days to try another…I was fine then this morning I had a BIG banana and WOW here is the gut wrentching butt puckering pain again. I can eat banana bread no problem but I am literally afraid of a banana…I am 54, healthy, active and I am afraid of bananas. If anyone has gotten tested for this please let me know. I think it is the potassium and as it is cooked it is depleted. Have a wonderful banana free day! Merry Christmas!

By Chelsea on Dec 29, 2009

It is very relieving to know I am not alone when it comes to avocadoes and bananas. If only I could figure out why I also get agonizing stomache aches with cold sandwiches mainly sub sandwiches though, iceberg lettuce (I have, overtime, noticed that finely chopped is a nightmare but a whole leaf is harmless) and when I consume any restraunts uncooked vegi patties. The stomache aches I get with these foods are incredibly painful and the only way I can sucessfully relieve it is when smoking marijuana which also keeps me functional throughout my day. But I would love to know what is it in these particular foods that trigger my nightmare so I can better avoid them.

By Kathy on Dec 30, 2009

I, too, ate bananas until I was 17 years old (1972), until one day I ate one and felt as though my stomach was paralyzed–no digestion, nothing going down, pain, and sweating. Cooked bananas don’t do it (but don’t lick the raw banana cake batter!). Raw zucchini has the same effect, cooked is not a problem.

By christineka on Jan 9, 2010

I’m joining the no banana club. They started making me sick when I was 21 after I had my first baby. I go on spurts of banana eating. My kids love them, so they are in the house on occasion and I sometimes can’t resist. I don’t know if avocado is an issue for me. I ate both avocado and half of a baby Harry and David banana this evening and I have a bad stomach ache. I am certain that the Harry and David bananas were picked green and gassed. They sure look weird half green with big black spots on them. I’ll have to try an organic banana sometime.

By JR on Jan 17, 2010

This site–what a discovery! I’m 53 and have not had a banana since the age of about 21. Allery/intolerence/pain started approx. 15-16 or so, and got progressively worse with age. Not everytime I ate a banana, but severe enough when it happened to make me quit eating them FOREVER. I love bananas! Just i month ago TRIED banana muffins a few times and no pain at all. They were great! In a short time, when I become brave enough, I will try cooking the banana, maybe grilling, and see how it goes. I have not tried any of the other remedies listed here and probably won’t-pain too bad.
Glucamole caused the same type of pain, BUT EVEN WORSE! Cucumbers also, to a slightly lesser extent. On occasion, peanut butter(to a lesser extent). I have also experienced on occasion that very full, uncomfortable feeling, but no pain, mentioned here with eggs. If its just eggs alone more chance of that happening, as opposed to adding toast, orange juice, etc…
More info–> my one daughter also has the same exact problems with bananas, glucamole, and cucumbers. We are of Irish and Finnish decent.
I hope this helps others and if anyone comes up with a safe way to eat bananas again, please let me know.
I’m going to do some more research on the chitinase and seratonin theories.

By Marcelle on Jan 22, 2010

Thank you for this post. This thread is the most evidence I have seen yet to corroborate my hypothesis that it was the banana that was making me sick. It was so strange because I am not the type to have experienced many food allergies in my 44 yrs. But I had a banana on an empty stomach this morning, and it was about an hour later when I felt like I was going to vomit. I was so nauseous. That was followed by the face flush that many have mentioned. I went home from work sick, thinking that I was getting some virus that has been going around. But then, like right now, a few hours later, I feel back to normal. But this is second time that exact same thing has happened. The first time also occurred right after eating a banana on an empty stomach. I can also verify that these symptoms do NOT occur when I eat a banana with other food, such as toast, or yogurt. Hope this helps others out there trying to figure out why they have a stomach ache after eating bananas!

By Cathy on Feb 3, 2010

Just another “bad banana bummer” case with me, too. For years I have not eaten a banana, not even a little slice or I will pay dearly. I get very nauseated with a horrible stomachache (the kind that requires you to unsnap your pants and moan & groan on the couch for a few hours). I am able to eat banana bread with no problem though. I also cannot eat raw almonds or fig newtons or (ok, this is weird but I ate it 3 times and never, ever will again), “blueberries and cream” pre-packaged oatmeal. I don’t eat avocado, don’t care for it, but some was in my sandwich today (I didn’t realize it), and I ended up with another horrible stomachache from that too. I would give anything if I could just eat a peanut butter & banana sandwich!

By Madeleine on Feb 11, 2010

I too have the same banana and avocado reactions-severe and disabling stomach cramps-which started in 1978 when I was 23 years old. Before then, I ate both regularly. Giving up avocados was not difficult, but I really miss bananas.

While surfing the web during the latest mid-Atlantic snowstorm I found this article that discusses banana allergy (caused by an allergy to the enzyme “Chitenase” – part of the latex allergy group) and banana intolerance (due to vaso-active amines such as serotonin which is present in bananas). It sheds a bit of light on our unfortunate malady!

Hope you can click on the link:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5499083_do-bananas-give-stomach-cramps.html

By ami on Feb 16, 2010

I too have the bananna & avocado allergy..My stomach will hurt really bad, but to help ease the pain, sprite works really well. to get the gas out..I also have the same type of reaction to Salmon.

By Ty on Feb 19, 2010

Wow! I thought I was the only one. I haven’t had a banana in months because it always makes my stomach cramp really bad, it also makes me sweat feel as if I need to vomit or use the restroom. This morning I decided to be brave and ate about 1/3 of a banana and my stomach started cramping right away (I mean right away). This is the only food that has ever had this effect on me. I’m glad I came across this website after all these years.

By Screw Bananas on Feb 22, 2010

I have been lifting weights for a while, recent I started to eat bananas after working out with my protein powder… I have been miserable for weeks… Could not figure out what was wrong with me, I cut out my supplements for weight lifting and I still had pain, I cut out Protein and still has pain (yes I was eating bananas every day) and then it hit me. What else do I eat and I started to search bananas and I found that I am not alone. I just found out today, I will not have a banana tomorrow and hope that I will not have the gas and pain. Screw bananas and where they came from :-(