Stop Eating Ripe Bananas! Dr. Gundry explains why (2024)

FAQs

Stop Eating Ripe Bananas! Dr. Gundry explains why? ›

Gundry suggests avoiding ripe bananas due to their lectin content and high sugar levels. However, he emphasizes that sugars found in bananas, are the main concern, as they can fuel obesity and related health issues. One medium ripe banana contains approximately 14 grams of sugar, which is a significant amount.

If you are on a lectin friendly diet, you are also allowed to enjoy green bananas, but not ripe bananas as they contain lectins in addition to the high amount of sugar. Sorghum is a great source of fiber (resistant starch) and low in lectins in comparison to barley, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat.

Eating too many bananas or other high-potassium foods can cause excess potassium in the body, also called hyperkalemia. This can cause serious health problems, including heart issues. While most people wouldn't be able to stomach the number of bananas necessary to cause this to happen, it's something to be mindful of.

Your immune system may suffer.

According to a 2013 research article published in Frontiers in Immunology, adequate prebiotic fiber can even help provide support to your immune system—but cutting out prebiotic foods, like bananas, may leave your immune health lacking, potentially making you more susceptible to illness.

According to a spokesperson for the FDA, "Generally, as long as it is not visibly moldy, it is safe." Rogers concurs, saying he hasn't seen any studies linking foodborne illness to eating extremely ripe bananas.

Bananas are versatile fruits with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that can help counteract inflammation and support the body's immune system. People may benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet and avoiding pro-inflammatory foods.

According to Gundry, removing lectins from the diet could reduce inflammation, aid weight loss, and enhance overall well-being. Gundry suggests avoiding ripe bananas due to their lectin content and high sugar levels.

Eat a yellow banana after your last meal of the day.

The soluble fiber from the banana will accompany your meal while it digests, making it easier to pass that night or in the morning.

Bananas are healthy, delicious, and versatile fruits. They're full of nutrients that could help prevent constipation, improve digestive and gut health, and promote recovery from intense activity. Eating one banana per day will provide: 12% of the DV for vitamin C.

Allergy: Bananas may trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Anyone who experiences itching, hives, swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing should seek medical help at once. A severe reaction can lead to anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening. Migraine: Bananas may trigger migraines in some people.

What happens if you eat a not fully ripe banana? ›

Green bananas are generally considered to be healthy. However, there have been some online reports of people experiencing discomfort after eating them. This includes digestive symptoms like: bloating.

The allergy is believed to be triggered by the protein chitinase; often people who have banana sensitivity or allergies also experience reactions to fruits like kiwi and avocado, which also contain chitinase.

That's not a problem on its own per se, since bananas also have fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients your body needs to thrive. But experts say that noshing on a banana first thing in the a.m., before you eat any other food, can potentially mess with your blood sugar levels—impacting your energy, mood, and more.

The riper the banana, the higher the tyramine content, so it may be best to avoid eating overripe bananas. Digestive issues: While bananas are a great way to add fiber to your diet and keep you regular, eating too much fiber can cause digestive problems, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and gas.

A: Nutrient content does change slightly as fruit ripens. As a banana turns yellow, its levels of antioxidants—substances that seem to protect against cancer and heart disease—increase somewhat, so you may be missing a small nutritional benefit.

Green bananas are less sweet and contain less sugar than riper yellow bananas. They also have more resistant starch, which may benefit blood sugar management and your overall health.

Digestive health

Bananas contain a type of fiber called pectin, which can play a part in controlling how quickly you digest carbohydrates. Bananas may be good for your tummy, too. They have probiotics, which are the good bacteria found in your gut, and prebiotics, carbs that feed these good bacteria.

The lectin-free diet impacts many healthy foods, and this diet lacks essential nutrients like fibre and may differ based on the type of fruits. Lectin-free fruits include pomegranates, lemons, beets, blackberries, blueberries, apples, plums, sweet oranges, tangerines, and dates.

Unripe bananas are low in FODMAPS and therefore a better choice for people with IBS — although they're not as sweet or soft as ripe bananas. However, as bananas ripen, they accumulate a type of FODMAP called oligofructans. Therefore, ripe bananas are considered a high FODMAP food (6, 7 ).