Are bananas a trigger for heartburn? Well, the answers might be a bit misleading. Like few other foods, the texture, flavor, and evolution during a banana’s life cycle may influence its effects on digestion. As a matter of fact, bananas and heartburn may have a special relationship. From green to ripe, firm, sweet, and mushy, let’s find out more about how bananas influence the way your stomach feels.
Bananas are fascinating fruits, given their varieties – from yellow to red, to green and to the special category called plantains. Furthermore, they are also full of nutrients that enhance digestive health. There is nothing new about bananas’ richness in minerals and vitamins. While nobody can doubt bananas’ richness in potassium, fibers, and many other nutrients, few know more about the downs of these fruits.
So are there any digestion complications after eating bananas? Do they give you heartburn? How do they work in terms of digestion? Is it related to the number of bananas you are eating in a day? So many questions, but luckily, all the answers are here. Let’s start with some essential concepts about heartburn and continue with bananas’ effects on acid reflux.
So What Is Heartburn?
The first thing I want to make sure you really understand is the notion of ‘heartburn.’ This is why I want to take the time and explain it using as simple words as possible.
When eating bananas for breakfast or as a simple snack, you may notice that you have the feeling of an empty stomach. This is common for most people, as we look for these easy-to-access full of nutrients fruits to start the day. Yet, this habit may not be the most inspirational or safe, considering bananas are moderately acidic.
Going back to the heartburn topic, each person may feel this discomfort differently. So what are the main symptoms one can expect from heartburn?
- Some may feel a slow-burning feeling that may last a couple of hours;
- Others deal with a burning sensation inside the throat;
- People suffering from heartburn may deal with an unwelcoming sour taste in the mouth;
- You might suffer from acid reflux if you have difficulty in swallowing;
- Recurring chest pains when you bend or lay down.
However, these symptoms may also appear due to some allergies. This is why it’s better to see a doctor and clear this thing up.
Can Bananas Cause Heartburn?
In the majority of cases, bananas will not trigger heartburn. They might be only an activating element for people already sensitive to acidic foods. Furthermore, this might happen only when bananas are not very ripe. In simpler terms, yes, bananas may give you heartburn if you are easily prone to heartburn and have already encountered GERD symptoms.
You should care more about the daily diet and follow an alkaline-forming diet or a lowe-acid regime when this happens.
The Acidity Level Of Bananas
Are bananas truly acidic? Well, on their own, they have a pH level somewhere between 4.50 to 5.29. This doesn’t mean so much compared to other fruits and vegetables. Bananas have more alkaline-forming properties, meaning they may actually help soothe the severity and frequency of acid reflux signs, like heartburn.
The most alkaline types of bananas are the ripe ones. Therefore, those already sensitive to acidic foods should consider eating only these fruits only when ripe. I’m sorry to say, but if you are a person who deals with sensitive digestive systems, unripe bananas might be the main trigger of your acid reflux.
One of the reasons this happens is their potassium level, which makes bananas much more challenging to digest. Thus, the stomach needs to work harder and produce more gastric acid.
Consequently, the more gastric acid the stomach has, the more acute symptoms of heartburn you may experience.
This being said, there is only one way to solve this issue. If you enjoy bananas, even if you deal with acid reflux symptoms, consider consuming ripe yellow bananas rather than green varieties.
The Connection Between Heartburn And Acid Reflux
We have already discussed the matter of what types of bananas may cause acid reflux and heartburn. But are these two conditions the same or at least connected topics? Well, as a matter of fact, heartburn is a consequence of acid reflux. To put it in easier words, one condition leads to another.
Acid reflux arises when the stomach acid goes up in the esophagus. Considering that the esophagus stands right behind the heart, you would instantly feel heartburn. Depending on someone’s endurance to pain, you may feel the heartburn like a heart attack. Because I hate to be the one to bring it to you, but acid reflux can cause that much pain. Luckily, you can distinguish between these two symptoms, and the method is quite simple: heartburn will appear immediately after eating.
Be aware: Any further movement, like laying down directly, can worsen the pain.
Heartburn, a Symptom of Food Intolerance?
Heartburn does not always mean that one has a specific food intolerance. As a matter of fact, there can be multiple reasons for suffering from heartburn. Even so, one very common cause is overeating acidic food.
Since bananas are considered alkaline fruits, they would rarely cause heartburn right after eating them. Getting heartburn after eating a whole banana or a banana porridge could mean that one may have a food allergy.
On the other hand, heartburn may signify a physical issue that centers the sphincter muscle, which is not working accordingly in containing all the acid in your stomach.
The easiest way to check if a particular type of food is causing heartburn is to simply note down if you get acid reflux every time you eat it. This way, you’ll know exactly what food is giving you stomach pains and whether you should see a doctor or not.
These are the most often causes of heartburn, despite food:
- Smoking;
- Pregnancy;
- Being overweight;
- Anxiety, and stress.
Easiest Ways To Get Rid Of Heartburn
If you are dealing with intense pain caused by acid reflux, these are some easy home remedies that may help you:
- Loosen your clothes. As odd as it may sound, you should wear loose clothes, especially if you stay at home. You can relieve this type of situation by unbuttoning the first button of your shirt or trousers;
- Eating small pieces of ginger or drinking a ginger juice is helpful. Consider this as a quick remedy to have in your kitchen. There are multiple positive effects of ginger, and, luckily, you can consume it in many ways: in soups, teas, or even as the raw ginger root.
- Mix water and a full spoon of baking soda and drink it. Baking soda is a neutralizer for acid reflux and can offer quick relief to your stomach.
- Chew gum. While chewing gum may be considered a bad habit, the saliva produced when chewing can lower the heartburn symptoms. Eating gum for half an hour after each meal will minimize acidic levels.
Preventing Acid Reflux By Eating Bananas
Prevention is always wiser than treating a medical issue. Bananas can be excellent remedies for acid reflux. However, there are some dos and don’ts to make sure you consume bananas without triggering heartburn again.
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Keep your diet on low fats and proteins. If you notice that bananas are not helpful and cause acid reflux, avoid them for a period instead of modifying your diet completely. | Never eat bananas or any other fruit before bedtime. |
| Being overweight is never a wise choice. Keep your weight on track. More kilograms will only trigger acid reflux. | Avoid eating citric fruits, although they might seem healthy. Even though bananas are alkaline fruits, any tiny amount of acidic quality can trigger GERD symptoms. |
| Be aware of the moment you eat bananas. Avoid eating these fruits when raw and on an empty stomach. | Skip drinking coffee or any type of soda product, as they can immediately activate acid reflux. |
Bottom Line
Once someone said that “too much of anything can turn bad.” It relates to the habit of eating bananas too. These fantastic fruits, full of vitamins, work great for the body. But only if you eat them in appropriate quantities. Although they are more alkaline than acidic, bananas can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and high potassium levels in high doses. Plus another side effect can be heartburn.
If you constantly deal with acid reflux symptoms, consider writing down each ingredient that caused you pain. Don’t wait to do this, and take out your notebook and pen as soon as you stop eating; this way, you know exactly what food caused heartburn. Starting from this point, it is just a matter of taking corrective actions to ensure you never eat those aliments again.