Could You Have a Banana Allergy or Intolerance?

In the UK we are bananas about bananas. On average, we munch our way through 5 billion every year.

One of the most versatile fruits available, bananas reach us supplied in their own natural packaging and high in natural slow-release sugars, making them an energy and nutrient-rich snack staple. They contain essential nutrients like potassium, which is important for strengthening the bones and maintaining healthy blood pressure. As well as this, the high fibre and antacid containing properties of the fruit make them a great choice for those wanting to ensure a healthy gut.

However, for some, the health benefits of banana may be outweighed by the seemingly unavoidable discomfort the fruit can cause. For those who are allergic or intolerant to the banana, the fruit can cause unpleasant reactions. As the symptoms of banana allergy and intolerance can display themselves in a variety of ways from person to person, we’ve put together a guide to help explain the difference between the two.

What is a banana allergy?

An estimated 0.1 – 1.2% of the population experience severe banana intolerance. Symptoms, such as swelling of the lips and tongue, wheezing, cramps and diarrhoea typically occur immediately or very soon after eating the fruit. Skin itching and rashes can also develop after touching the fruit or peel.

It’s thought that a banana allergy is not solely brought on by the fruit itself, but by the protein chitinase. This protein is also present in kiwi and avocado, so it’s not uncommon for sufferers of banana allergies to also react badly to these two fruits. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that latex may be a trigger to banana allergy sufferers, with around 45% of latex allergy sufferers also being allergic to bananas. This is due to the naturally occurring levels of chitinase in the rubber tree, the sap of which is used to make latex.

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Take our most comprehensive food and drink intolerance* test to find out whether you have an intolerance to 200 food and drink ingredients. Simply take a finger-prick blood sample and return by post for testing. Receive your results within 7 days! No social interaction required.

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What are the symptoms of banana allergy?

Symptoms of banana allergy can differ and vary in severity from person to person, but some types of reaction appear to be more common than others. Frequently cited symptoms include:

Itchy mouth
and throat

Hives
Rash

Stomach cramps

Diarrhoea

Vomiting

Fever

Shortness of breath

Anaphylactic shock
(in severe cases)

What is a banana intolerance?

Unlike a banana allergy, sufferers of banana intolerance need to eat the fruit before symptoms can occur. Like many food intolerances, these symptoms do not always have an immediate onset, and can occur up to a few days after eating the fruit. This means it can sometimes be difficult for sufferers to identify banana intolerance, as the symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to other factors.

Food intolerances can occur when the body incorrectly identifies the proteins in a food, in this case bananas, as foreign. This can happen when small particles of food escape through the gut wall into the bloodstream. The body sees these particles as a potential threat and sends out antibodies to fight them. These IgG antibodies trigger an inflammatory response which can cause the unwanted conditions that affect areas of the body such as the skin or digestive system.

What are the symptoms of banana intolerance?

Bloating
Stomach pain
Stomach cramps
Excessive gas

Diarrhoea

Headaches

Rashes

Banana intolerance treatment

If you think you might have a banana allergy, and are conscious you may have previously suffered a severe reaction to banana, it’s important to see a doctor. If left untreated, allergies have the potential to be life threatening, so getting a diagnosis is extremely important.

If you suspect you are experiencing intolerance to banana you should first consult your GP to rule out a more serious cause for your symptoms. If your symptoms aren’t caused by an underlying condition, you might like to confirm whether food intolerance is the cause by taking a yorktest food intolerance programme. Unlike allergies, intolerances aren’t always lifelong. It is possible to reintroduce trigger foods into the diet after a period of elimination so you might not have to miss out on that teatime banana bread forever.

8 out of 10 customers saw an improvement following a yorktest programme