The Side Effects of Eating Too Many Bananas!
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Although bananas are a superfood, they are also high in sugar, which, when taken in excess, is not good for the body. Eating too many bananas can cause wild side effects on your body. Read on to learn more about the potential downsides of incorporating too many bananas into your diet.
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Migraine
Eating too many bananas can cause migraines because bananas contain an amino acid called phenylalanine, which is found in many foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, soy products, and wheat. Eating large amounts of phenylalanine can increase the levels of the amino acid tyrosine in the body, which can cause migraines.
While banana is not the only food that can cause migraines, it is one of the most common.
Tooth Decay
Bananas are mildly acidic fruits with pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5. This means that when taken in plenty, the acid content will accumulate and can damage tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. An even more concerning side effect of eating too many bananas is the potential to cause tooth decay in the young child. So, reduce giving children many bananas to eat.
Another cause of tooth decay is the high naturally occurring sugars, glucose, fructose, and sucrose. They tend to soften the enamel of your teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Hyperkalemia
Eating a large number of bananas, especially when you are elderly or have kidney disease, can cause hyperkalemia, otherwise known as excessive potassium in the blood. Your body needs potassium to support your nerves and muscles, like the heart, but plenty can lead to serious problems. Excessive potassium can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness, and even paralysis.
The only way to prevent hyperkalemia is to consume normal amounts of potassium from potassium-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, or fruit juices. But suppose you are already suffering from kidney problems. In that case, you should seek medical help immediately as this condition is very serious.
Blood Sugar Levels
Eating a large number of ripe bananas can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, which can cause fatigue, drowsiness, and an increased risk of developing diabetes. Ripe bananas have high contents of sugar and less resistant starch which gets absorbed into the bloodstream quickly, increasing sugar levels.
If you have blood sugar-related problems like diabetes, try consulting your doctor for advice on the size or amount good for you. This is because as the banana raises blood sugar levels, it significantly benefits the body.
Kidney Disorder
If you have kidney disease, try reducing your intake of bananas. The high potassium content in bananas can cause hyperkalemia, damage the kidneys, and cause chronic renal disease. Chronic renal disease is when the kidneys are damaged and unable to function normally. If you have chronic renal disease, you should avoid eating bananas to prevent this serious side effect.
Dysfunctional kidneys may lead to an accumulation of potassium in the body, which poses a great risk to your heart.
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Weight Gain
Eating too many bananas can cause you to gain weight, especially if you are a teenager who is not eating a healthy, balanced diet. This is because of the high sugar content in bananas.
Bananas also have a higher calorie count than many other fruits. The calories in bananas are between 72 – 135, depending on the size. Eating bananas may be good for boosting your energy instantly but watch the amount intake.
Drowsiness
Bananas contain two major substances that may lead to drowsiness.
- Magnesium – Magnesium is a very powerful mineral associated with muscle relaxation, hence leading to a reduction in your physical activities.
- Tryptophan – This amino acid in bananas is responsible for reducing brain activities when in plenty. Normal amounts of Tryptophan are, however, good for your brain.
Constipation
Yes, bananas cause constipation, but not ripe ones. In fact, ripe bananas are good for your bowel movement and also constipation as they have high levels of soluble fibers. However, green bananas(unripe bananas) have highly resistant starch, which is very binding hence causing constipation. Green bananas are recommended for people who have diarrhea.
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Stomach Upset
Bananas are very tolerant fruits; however, they may pose discomfort to some people who eat them. The highly soluble fiber in bananas is easily dissolved and fermented in the intestines causing lots of gas to accumulate, causing discomfort in many people.
Bananas have a compound known as sorbitol, a carbohydrate commonly referred to as sugar alcohol. Sorbitol is a laxative sugar that may cause an accumulation of gas, leading to stomach upsets.
Conclusion
While there are many health benefits of consuming bananas, such as providing potassium, fiber, and vitamins, excessive consumption can result in side effects like tooth decay, hyperkalemia, blood sugar drops, constipation, and weight gain. While most of the side effects of eating too many bananas are rare, they are a concern. They should be taken into consideration when choosing what foods to consume. You should take bananas together with other foods to neutralize the effects.