What will happen if you eat too many bananas?
By Aaron Zhao
A new series, Question Of The Day, begins today! Send us your silly or serious questions, and we’ll explain them through scientific perspectives. Today, we’re looking at the consequences of eating TOO MANY BANANAS.
They say ask a silly question, get a silly answer. Let tell you: they’re wrong.
What happens to your body biologically if you eat too many bananas? Is it lethal? Will all that banana tamper with the functioning of your organs? What will go on inside you after ingesting a hundred bananas? Let’s explain.
A description of bananas; History, Popularity, Nutritional Value
It all began in the late 1800s, when Americans first caught sight of the banana at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, which was exhibited as a luxury fruit of the time. Using the newfound intrigue of this novel fruit in the general public, merchants soon began to find ways to capitalize on the growing demand. From the first successful capitalization of bananas by Lorenzo Baker and his shipment of the fruit from Jamaica to Minor Keith’s railroad from Costa Rica, which became an avenue for fast banana delivery to America, the imminent mass popularization of bananas started to form in the distance.
Over the course of the years, bananas would gain the recognition of countries world-wide, and its production and consumption would increase exponentially. Bananas are the second most popular fruit in the world, standing behind tomatoes. In 2018, 115.74 million tons of bananas were produced in 150 countries, with Asia leading production at 62,648,180 metric tonnes (see graph below). The United States is the largest importer of bananas, and in that same year, nearly 3 billion dollars worth of the fruit were received.
Find more statistics at Statista
But what exactly makes this fruit so popular?
Bananas are cheap. Even after taking account of inflation, the price of bananas remain around the same even after decades. This is because they are produced at tremendous rates yearly at low labor costs, thus lowering the total costs. Furthermore, the standardization of bananas have also contributed to lowering costs, like in the case of the Cavendish bananas.
What also makes this fruit so “a-peeling” is its benefits for human health. As a good source of fibre, bananas promote healthy digestion and bowel movement. Also rich in antioxidants, this miraculous fruit also neutralizes free radicals and defends you from the jabs of diseases. Just the right amount of bananas contributes to many aspects of healthy living.
But, what are the consequences of eating too many bananas?
Consequence #1: Potassium Overdose
The average banana weighs 125g and contains around 450mg of potassium. Eating 50 bananas would mean an ingestion of 22,500mg (22.5g) of potassium, which towers over the recommended diet of 3,500 to 4500 mg. The ingestion of 100 bananas would mean 45,000 mg (45g) of potassium have passed through your esophagus. Eating around 2,300 bananas would mean you have now congested a kilogram of potassium.
In this scenario, a potassium overdose is very likely to occur. According to Mayo Clinic, “your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter.” Anything above that is dangerous, climaxing to kidney failure from the inability to remove potassium from the body (potassium buildup). Other symptoms of potassium overdose include:
- tiredness, weakness,
- nausea
- chest pain
- irregular heartbeat (healthy dose of potassium contributes to the pumping of the heart)
- heart failure, paralysis
Consequence #2: Vitamin B6 Overdose
The chemical name of Vitamin B6 is pyridoxine, found commonly in high doses in bananas (0.4g, 33% of Daily Value). While healthy amounts can strengthen your immune and nervous system and promote healthy brain development, too much of it can cause dire side effects.
At 1000 mg/day (which is around 2500 bananas, 357 bananas ingested everyday over the course of a week), you will begin to experience neuropathy, which is the dysfunction or damage of nerves that work in the peripheral nervous system. This includes the sensory, motor, and autonomic nerves. If that doesn’t sound menacing enough, common symptoms of neuropathy include burning sensations in the feet, and the loss of muscle coordination, along with:
- heartburns and other gastrointestinal problems
- Low blood pressure, which induces dizziness
- Profuse or deficient sweating
- Urination problems (issues with the bladder)
Consequence #3: Digestive Problems (Constipation)
This consequence depends on the ripeness of the banana; completely ripe bananas are thought to relieve constipation, while unripe bananas can actually induce it. Measured in dry weight, the latter contains 80% starch, something our body has trouble digesting. Additionally, these unripe bananas are also abundant with pectin fibres, which are thought to draw water from the intestines.
Consequence #4: Weight Gain
While it is true that bananas do boost metabolism and help burn belly fat, congesting too many of them at once and not doing anything about it can cause weight gain. One large banana is about 121 calories, so ingesting 100 would mean you have eaten 12100 calories, when the average, daily calories intake is around 2500 for men and 2000 for women. Add that onto other snacks that you’ve eaten throughout the day, and you have a body bloated with calories.
Consequence #5: Drowsiness
Bananas contain the amino acid tryptophan, which is known to promote sleep. With such a sudden influx of tryptophan, a significant amount of brain serotonin will be released as a product, further heightening the effect of sleepiness. Not only that, but bananas are also rich with magnesium, which contribute to muscle relaxation, something that goes shoulder to shoulder with sleepiness.
Ingesting 1,000 bananas in a day is most definitely an irrational choice for all. Even if you’re a competitive eater, there is one thing you cannot escape: human physiology. The biochemical response of your body against 1,000 ingested bananas is not a favorable scene, and will only result in medical attention. Please do not attempt. I warn you.