Can you be intolerant to bananas?

Bananas have a reputation for being the ultimate fast food. Easy to grab on the go, they’re full of nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C and are great for a quick energy boost. So, how is it possible to have a banana intolerance when they’re so healthy? Pretty easily, as it turns out. Just because a food is good for you doesn’t automatically mean that it’s compatible with your digestive system. It’s possible to have an intolerance to bananas without even knowing. Read our latest blog to learn more about the symptoms of banana intolerance and how you can find out which foods are likely to make you feel unwell.

What are the symptoms of a banana intolerance?

Bananas are versatile, good for the gut and great at keeping hunger pangs at bay. Their list of health benefits is so extensive that having banana intolerance seems almost illogical. However, while their nutrient content is impressive, it can also trigger gastrointestinal symptoms. This is likely due to the levels of fructose and sorbitol they contain, along with their high soluble fibre content. Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to food intolerance symptoms, if you are intolerant to bananas, you’re likely to experience digestive issues such as bloating, stomach pains and diarrhoea, as well as headaches and skin rashes. Because these complaints are commonly associated with minor illnesses, they’re often overlooked, so it can be difficult to spot the link between what you eat and how your body responds.

Banana intolerance or banana allergy?

As much as the symptoms associated with a banana intolerance can be unpleasant, they’re rarely severe. Caused by an inflammatory response to a certain food particle, the symptoms usually present themselves a few hours or even days after you’ve eaten the offending item. A banana allergy is different because the symptoms are caused by the immune system’s abnormal response to a specific food. This causes the onset of sudden and more severe symptoms such as swelling of the face and lips, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, and wheezing that may require medical attention. A banana allergy will also be a lifelong condition, whereas a banana intolerance could present itself at any time and ease off again after a short period.

A food intolerance test will give you a better understanding of your body

If you regularly experience digestive complaints, headaches, and skin irritation, taking a food intolerance test will help you find out whether your diet is making you feel unwell.  Simply send in 4/5 strands of hair with a submission form to the UK Food Intolerance lab, and you’ll receive a pdf report that details the foods your body is sensitive to. You may find that eliminating the identified item for 4-6 weeks is enough for your body to repair itself before reintroducing it again, or you may decide to cut it out of your diet completely. Whatever you decide, taking an intolerance test will highlight the foods that are best suited to your body so you can make informed decisions about what you eat to fuel it properly.

Contact UK Food Intolerance for more information

If you’d like to find out more about food intolerance tests, please take a look at our website. You can also send an email to [email protected] or fill out our contact form. Please remember that while we can help you find out how your body reacts to certain foods, you should always speak to your GP if you’re concerned about your health or if your symptoms persist.