Eating Banana in Acid Reflux: Is it SAFE or Not?

Short Answer: Banana is good for acid reflux because it has pectin and resistant starch, and they can protect your esophagus from damage and lower stomach acidity.

Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.

In acid reflux, your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, irritating its lining. This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and inflammation of the throat.

One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.

What you consume can affect your stomach acidity, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.

To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, and apples and avoid fat-rich foods like fried foods, cheese, and butter.

Now, banana is a tropical fruit that is widely consumed around the world. They are usually eaten raw or added to smoothies, desserts, or salads.

Banana is good for acid reflux because it contains pectin and resistant starch.

Pectin can help form a protective layer on the esophageal lining, reducing the damage caused by stomach acid.

Resistant starch can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can lower stomach acidity and improve digestion.

Furthermore, banana is a low-acid food and low-acid foods are good for acid reflux.

Because they can neutralize the excess acid in the stomach and prevent it from flowing back into the esophagus.

One medium-sized banana can give you 3.1 grams of fiber (11% of your daily needs), 422 milligrams of potassium (9% of your daily needs), and 10.3 milligrams of vitamin C (11% of your daily needs).

You can eat one to two bananas per day safely. More than that can cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea due to the high fiber content.

Also, you shouldn’t eat bananas if you have a banana allergy to prevent an allergic reaction. Because some people may be allergic to proteins in bananas and experience symptoms like itching, swelling, or hives.

You can buy fresh bananas in your local market or order them online.

Always choose bananas that are firm, bright yellow, and free of bruises.

Because they are ripe and have the best flavor and texture. You can store them at room temperature for up to five days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management, is key to managing acid reflux effectively.

I always recommend my acid reflux patients to follow an acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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