Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are rich in nutrients like potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, and manganese (1). Despite being so nutritious, there is a popular belief that you should not drink water immediately after eating bananas. Let’s examine if there is any truth to this claim.
Does drinking water after eating bananas cause toxicity?
One of the most common reasons given for avoiding water after bananas is that it can lead to toxicity. Bananas are rich in potassium. Drinking water immediately after eating bananas is believed to flush the potassium into the bloodstream rapidly. This sudden spike of potassium in the bloodstream is thought to be dangerous.
However, this claim is false. The kidneys are perfectly capable of removing excess potassium from the bloodstream through urine. There is no scientific evidence that drinking water after eating bananas leads to potassium toxicity or any other adverse effects (2, 3).
Potassium content in bananas
An average banana contains about 422 mg of potassium (4). To put this into perspective, here are the recommended daily intakes of potassium (5):
| Age | Recommended Potassium Intake |
|---|---|
| 1-3 years | 3000 mg |
| 4-8 years | 3800 mg |
| 9-13 years | 4500 mg |
| 14-18 years | 4700 mg |
| Adults | 4700 mg |
As you can see, the potassium from 1 banana makes up only a small fraction of the daily recommended intake. The kidneys can easily handle this additional potassium load in healthy individuals.
Does drinking water after bananas cause cholera?
Another common myth is that drinking water after bananas can cause cholera. Cholera is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae (6). It spreads through contaminated food and water sources.
There is no scientific evidence that drinking water after banana can lead to cholera. The cholera bacterium does not exist inside bananas and cannot survive the acidic environment of the stomach. The disease is also very rare in most developed countries due to good sanitation practices.
Ways cholera spreads
Cholera typically spreads through the following routes (7):
- Drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium
- Eating raw or undercooked seafood from contaminated waters
- Eating fruits and vegetables irrigated with contaminated water
- Contaminated water getting into food during preparation
- Poor hygiene and sanitation practices
As you can see, bananas themselves have nothing to do with the spread of cholera. This myth likely originated from the fact that contaminated water is a common source of the infection in developing countries where bananas are also abundant.
Does drinking water after bananas cause allergy?
Some people claim avoiding water after bananas prevents banana allergy. But there is no scientific basis behind this. Banana allergy is an immune response triggered by proteins in bananas, not water (8).
Drinking water immediately after eating bananas does not affect the protein content. A person with banana allergy will experience an adverse reaction regardless of water intake.
Symptoms of banana allergy
People with banana allergy may experience the following symptoms (9):
- Itching or tingling in the mouth
- Hives or red, itchy rashes on the skin
- Swelling of the lips, face or throat
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Runny nose
- Stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
These symptoms arise from an immune reaction to banana proteins. Drinking water does not influence this process in any way.
Does drinking water after bananas cause constipation?
Drinking water after eating bananas does not lead to constipation. In fact, staying well hydrated is important to maintain regular bowel movements.
Bananas themselves have mild laxative properties. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber which helps add bulk to stools and improve mobility through the digestive tract (10). Bananas also contain fructooligosaccharides which act as prebiotics by feeding beneficial gut bacteria (11).
If anything, the fiber and nutrients in bananas may help relieve constipation. Drinking water simply helps digest and absorb these nutrients better.
Ways to prevent constipation
Here are some healthy ways to prevent constipation (12):
- Eat more fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds
- Stay well hydrated by drinking water and other fluids
- Engage in regular physical activity
- Establish a regular bowel movement routine
- Avoid holding your stools
- Reduce stress through relaxation techniques like yoga
- Consult a doctor if symptoms persist
Does drinking water after bananas cause weight gain?
Another common myth is that drinking water after bananas can lead to weight gain. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Bananas are nutritious fruits that provide various vitamins and minerals. They have a low to medium glycemic index, meaning they do not dramatically spike blood sugar levels compared to other high glycemic foods (13).
Drinking water does not influence the nutritional profile or calorie content of bananas in any way. As long as you account for the calories from bananas and eat them in moderation as part of a balanced diet, they are unlikely to lead to weight gain.
Healthy ways to manage weight
Here are some healthy tips that may help with weight management (14):
- Follow a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate portion sizes
- Reduce intake of processed foods high in added sugar and unhealthy fats
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water through the day
- Engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week
- Get 7-9 hours of good sleep per night
- Manage stress through yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques
- Consult a doctor or nutritionist if required
Does drinking water after bananas cause bloating?
There is no evidence that drinking water after bananas leads to bloating or stomach discomfort. Bananas are generally considered easy to digest.
However, some people may experience bloating after eating bananas due to underlying gastrointestinal issues like:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- Food intolerance
This is not directly related to water intake. Those with gastrointestinal issues may need to avoid bananas altogether to prevent bloating and other symptoms.
Tips to reduce bloating
Here are some tips to help reduce bloating (15):
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
- Avoid chewing gum, smoking, and using straws
- Limit gas-producing foods like beans, cabbage, soda
- Try probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi
- Exercise regularly to improve digestion
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques
- Get checked for food intolerances or underlying conditions
Does drinking water after bananas cause diarrhea?
Drinking water after eating bananas does not cause diarrhea. Bananas contain pectin, a type of soluble fiber that may actually help treat diarrhea by absorbing water and adding bulk to stools (16).
In fact, the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a standard recommendation for treating diarrhea. The binding action of banana fiber helps relieve loose stools and prevent nutrient loss.
Staying hydrated by drinking water is also important when you have diarrhea to replace lost fluids and prevent dehydration.
Causes and treatment of diarrhea
Common causes of diarrhea include (17):
- Viral, bacterial or parasitic infections
- Food poisoning
- Food intolerances like lactose intolerance
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Medication side effects
Treatment involves (18):
- Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes
- Consuming BRAT diet foods
- Taking anti-diarrheal medications if needed
- Treating underlying conditions
- Consulting a doctor if diarrhea persists
Does drinking water after bananas cause gas and indigestion?
Drinking water after eating bananas does not specifically cause gas or indigestion. Many people actually report improved digestion when eating bananas.
Bananas contain prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The probiotics improve gut health, boost immunity and enhance digestion (19). Bananas also provide electrolytes like potassium that are important for muscle contractions in the digestive tract.
If bananas give you gas, it is likely due to a personal tolerance issue. Try drinking warm lemon water after eating bananas as the lemon juice may aid digestion. But there is no universal rule that drinking plain water after bananas causes indigestion.
Ways to improve digestion and reduce gas
Here are some tips to improve digestion and reduce gas (20):
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
- Drink warm liquids like herbal tea during meals
- Take a short walk after eating
- Avoid smoking and drinking through straws
- Reduce intake of soda, energy drinks and artificial sweeteners
- Try natural remedies like ginger, chamomile, peppermint
- Take probiotic supplements if needed
Conclusion
Based on the evidence, there are no scientifically validated reasons to avoid drinking water after eating bananas. Bananas are a nutritious fruit that provide many health benefits. Drinking water simply helps you digest and absorb these nutrients better.
Myths like toxicity, cholera risk, allergy, weight gain and indigestion are not substantiated by research. However, some people may want to limit water intake due to personal tolerance issues. This does not apply to the general population though.
So feel free to enjoy bananas as part of a balanced diet and stay well hydrated by drinking water whenever thirsty. However, moderation is key as too much of anything is never good. Consult a doctor if you have any ongoing gastrointestinal issues.