Yesterday was not a good day. Abby stayed home sick. I had a lot of work to do. I basically had one day to write my business plan (so I procrastinated a little), which had to be ready to present today. Let’s just say it’s a good thing I’m not trying to convince bankers. I also had church last night, which meant a good chunk of the evening was gone.
It meant for a busy day, but not too bad. Then I had lunch.
A month or so back I went on a banana eating kick. I had one every day with breakfast and it felt good to actually be getting a one-fifth of my daily allotment of fruit. I’m not exactly a healthy eater. Then one day as I finished my banana I felt intensely sick. A stomach ache and cramps set in for the next 45 minutes. It was a good hour or two before I was back to normal. By that afternoon I felt fine. Rather freakish.
The next day the same thing happened. I decided to cut back on bananas, as in not eat them, and I haven’t had a problem.
Of course Abby’s made a few loaves of banana bread in the past month, and I’ve devoured them with no problem. So it’s not a total banana thing. Or maybe cooking bananas changes things.
At any rate, yesterday for lunch I went to Jamba Juice, the default sick-person food in our house. I always go for a Strawberries Wild, which is basically a strawberry and banana smoothie. After finishing three-quarters of smoothie the intense stomach ache and cramps hit me. Suddenly our house became a double-sickie home. Speak didn’t know who to lick more.
The pain subsided after an hour to the point where I could work, but I didn’t feel great. The cramps came back later in the afternoon, though it was shorter and less intense. By supper time I felt fine again, though that night I couldn’t sleep on my stomach. Not exactly a conducive afternoon for writing a business plan. Thankfully enough came together that I could squeak by, though I’ll have plenty of revisions.
So I guess that means bananas are out. They’re the only commonality that’s made me sick like this, though I can’t imagine why. Nothing else has ever had this kind of reaction for me. Is it possible to overdoes on bananas? And if it is, that’s just not fair. I try to be healthy and I get hit with a double whammy of suck.
And I liked bananas. It was healthy eating but they still tasted good. And I really liked Strawberries Wild at Jamba Juice. It’s the only flavor I ever order. Jamba Juice has suddenly lost all appeal.
So that was my bad day. Lying in bed next to my sick wife with a damp washcloth on my forehead and intense stomach pain, all while an incredible amount of work was due the next day. Yuck.
It’s really not that dramatic — it wasn’t that terrible of a day. But it wasn’t a good day by a longshot.
Update: It’s been more than a year since I wrote this entry on what could be banana allergies, and it’s racked up more than 50 comments. I’m thinking the comments are more helpful than my actual entry, but hopefully people are finding what they’re looking for.
Since it has been more than a year since I wrote this, I thought I should give an update. I haven’t had intense banana-related stomach cramps since, though I have eaten small quantities of bananas. Back in February I had half a banana with no dire consequences. A few weeks back my wife made a fruit salad with bananas, and over a couple days I ate the equivalent of a couple of bananas. No dire consequences.
My only conclusion has been that my stomach cramps were caused by consuming massive quantities of bananas in a short period. If I eat them every day, I get sick. But once in a while seems to be fine.
Of course I’m still a little hesitant when it comes to Jamba Juice.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.???
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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)
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
In response to your question, Riley, it may or may not mean that you have an allergic reaction. Which foods are bothering you?
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
I get the same thing! Terrible stomach pains when I eat bananas, and avocados cause it too! What’s up with that?!?!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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 :-)
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!
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!