Bananas have many side effects; some are highly beneficial while others can be potentially life-threatening. Bananas are high in minerals such as potassium and high in fiber, both of which have many health benefits. Yet, bananas are also a common allergenic food and can cause reactions from the mild to the severe.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Bananas can significantly reduce blood pressure, according to a study conducted at the Katsurba medical college in India in 1999 and by Johns Hopkins University in the United States in 1997. The findings showed that two bananas per day could reduce blood pressure by 10 percent and that five bananas per day could reduce blood pressure half as much as conventional medication. This is because of a high quantity of the electrolyte potassium, which helps to inhibit blood vessel constriction.
CRAMPS
Bananas can help with cramps. Many athletes and beginners to exercise experience muscular cramps, especially after exercising heavily. The reason for this is that electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and calcium are sweated out during exercise and are not replaced afterward. This causes the muscles to cramp up. A daily intake of 2,300 mg of potassium is needed, and an average banana contains 467 mg and can therefore significantly reduce the potential for sports-related cramps.
OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS
Bananas are also high in fiber. Fiber has multiple benefits, including causing feelings of satiety and as a result weight loss. Fiber also helps to reduce the risk of heart disease. An increased intake of potassium may also help to reduce bone loss by reducing urinary calcium loss. Urinary calcium loss is typical in people who have an excessively high salt intake.
ALLERGIES
Two types of allergies are associated with bananas. One is an allergic reaction associated with tree pollen, and the other allergic reaction caused by bananas is usually related to a latex allergy as bananas have a similar allergen as latex products. Foods and products that may cause similar reactions are kiwis, mangoes, chestnuts, avocados, condoms, gloves and balloons. If you suffer from a banana allergy, you should avoid ingesting bananas directly and through other food sources. Many processed foods such as syrups, yogurt, breakfast flakes, energy bars and dairy products list bananas among their ingredients.
TYPICAL SYMPTOMS
Reactions to bananas can occur immediately after ingestion or up to one hour afterward. Some common symptoms of either a pollen-related reaction or latex-related reaction are mouth and throat reactions, itching and inflammation, swelling of the lips and mouth, hives, stomach cramps, hay fever symptoms, constriction of throat, asthma or even anaphylactic shock.
