Lots of people enjoy starting their day with a banana. You can enjoy this versatile and healthy fruit in many ways, whether you prefer to eat it on its own or sliced in your favorite breakfast dish. Nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamins C and B6 are abundant in bananas. You can enjoy this naturally sweet food in pancakes, smoothies, oatmeal bowls, and other dishes.
However, starting your day with a banana carries certain risks. Despite being nutritious, they can cause health hazards such as a spike in blood sugar. Here are some of the other dangerous things that can happen when you eat a banana first thing in the morning.
Is it ok to eat bananas on an empty stomach?
Most people don’t give it a second thought, but it’s important to understand what happens to the body when you start your day with a banana.
1. It’s not heart-healthy
Yup—bananas for breakfast can be bad for your heart and lead to cardiac issues down the line. This is because our blood contains a delicate balance of magnesium and calcium. This can be disrupted by the high magnesium concentration in bananas, which can lead to issues with heart health.
2. It leads to blood sugar spikes
As healthy as bananas are, they’re filled with sugar. When you eat them on an empty stomach, they can suddenly spike blood sugar levels.
3. It can upset your stomach
Another reason you may want to save bananas for lunch is that they can disrupt the natural processes of your stomach. Bananas have pectin in them. Pectin is a type of fiber that binds to stomach acid, slowing down digestion. The result? Feeling uncomfortably bloated and general indigestion. Bananas contain a sugar alcohol called sorbitol, which can cause a laxative effect in excess.
4. It lowers iron absorption
This can be particularly dangerous for people with an iron deficiency. When an individual with an iron deficiency consumes bananas on an empty stomach, it can cause significant harm. Bananas are filled with potassium, which can prevent the absorption of iron.
5. It causes acidity
If you have GERD or heartburn and haven’t eaten anything else, avoid eating bananas! Consuming bananas without any other food can cause your body to become acidic, as bananas are naturally acidic. While they might initially boost your energy, they can leave you feeling fatigued and lead to stomach issues.
6. It can lead to weight gain
Although some people include bananas as part of their healthy eating regimen, it’s critical to remember that bananas are high in calories. Therefore, if you want to gain weight, feel free to start with some slices of banana. But just keep this fact in mind if you’re looking to drop the pounds.
7. It can negatively impact your body’s metabolism
When you have bananas as your first meal, it can affect your metabolism rate and disrupt the entire digestive system.
