Believe it or not, as cool and refreshing as banana is, it makes some people’s mouths burn. Could it be a symptom of burning mouth syndrome or an allergic reaction to the fruit? Or are there chances that banana could be a
Banana makes your mouth burn when you are hypersensitive to some proteins in the banana or pollen— a banana allergy. People who manifest allergic reactions to bananas will most likely be allergic to other stuff in their environment. As a result, a banana mouth burn could be a risk factor for anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response).
Sometimes consuming raw fruit or foods can have a disturbing effect on the consumer. This article will discuss everything you need to know about your mouth burning when you eat a banana and whether it could be an allergy symptom. Let’s get started!
Is Banana Spicy Enough To Cause Mouth Burn?
Banana is neither spicy nor a
However, eating a banana can cause a burning mouth sensation in hypersensitive people, making them allergic to some of the proteins contained in bananas. So even though banana causes burning mouth in hypersensitive people, it is not spicy enough to cause mouth burn.
Is Banana-Induced Mouth Burn the Same As Burning Mouth Syndrome?
A banana-induced mouth burn is not the same as the burning mouth syndrome because both situations through similar are slightly different. While banana-induced mouth burn is an allergic response to eating a banana, burning mouth syndrome is an idiopathic situation without any particular cause.
Burning mouth syndrome is a medical condition of unknown cause that arises due to no particular casual factor. Sometimes a banana allergy can manifest as burning mouth syndrome, with overlapping symptoms. However, the symptoms of banana allergy include visible, diagnosable signs, but burning mouth syndrome has no apparent visual signs.
Essentially, the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome are relative and are more often than not only experienced by the patient. Nonetheless, both conditions are not the same and are distinct.
Could a Banana-Induced Mouth Burn Be a Sign of Banana Allergy?
Since banana is naturally cool and refreshing, it is less likely to cause any irritation to consumers. As a result, a burning mouth due to consuming a banana could signify a banana allergy—otherwise known as oral allergy syndrome.
A banana allergy is when a person develops an adverse reaction after consuming or getting exposed to a banana. The reason is a hypersensitive reaction to specific pollen-like and latex-like proteins in bananas. Interestingly, people with latex allergies are likely to have a banana allergy and vice versa.
Oral Allergy Syndrome? —What You Should Know About Banana-Induced Mouth Burn.
Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a mild type of food allergy with a reaction localized around the mouth, lips, throat, and sometimes nose. For instance, one can develop OAS from banana nearness or consumption. People who suffer from oral allergy syndrome may react adversely to other raw fruits and vegetables if they contain pollen or pollen-like compounds.
General symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include but are not limited to itchiness of the mouth and throat, swelling, wheezing, etc. In more severe cases, oral allergy syndrome can progress to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergy.
Sometimes, OAS due to bananas might be a form of histamine response leading to mouth burning and other symptoms. It also means that your immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance because it perceives it as harmful.
While some food allergies are genetic, others manifest in infancy, and others develop as you get older. Sometimes, you outgrow infant allergies, while adult-onset allergies might be permanent.
To prevent the condition, people who experience banana-induced mouth burn or have been diagnosed with oral allergy syndrome might avoid eating certain foods and fruits, including bananas. Alternatively, if you will keep eating bananas, it is best to discuss with your healthcare provider on preventive measures to apply.
The table below summarizes banana allergy, symptoms, and risk factors for most people with OAS.
| Symptoms | Risk factors |
| Mouth/lip/tongue rash Mouth and throat swelling Burning mouth Anaphylaxis | Latex allergy Other food allergies Asthma Family history of allergies |
Will Cooking Bananas Reduce or Eliminate the Mouth Burn?
Proteins are heat sensitive, so cooking bananas might eliminate its tendency to cause mouth burn. The reason is that cooking inactivates the protein allergens within the banana. However, you risk losing the valuable micronutrients like potassium and magnesium that are heat sensitive in bananas.
Before you consider cooking bananas, it is best to discuss them with your nutritionist or healthcare provider. Usually, your healthcare provider or nutritionist will advise you on alternative foods you can consume to get the same nutritional benefits from bananas while avoiding the risk of an allergic reaction.
Here is a table summarising some cross-reactive foods like bananas to avoid and some alternative foods you can use to replace them to avoid getting a burning mouth.
| Banana Cross-reactive Foods To Avoid | Banana Alternative Foods To Consume |
| Avocados Chestnut Kiwi Apple Carrot Papaya Celery Tomatoes Potatoes Merlot Peanut | Oranges Berries Squashes Cooked sweet potatoes Yams |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bananas Make Your Mouth Burn?
Bananas can only make your mouth burn if you have an allergic reaction to some of their proteins. Alternatively, bananas can make your mouth burn if you have oral allergy syndrome, and symptoms manifest within minutes or seconds of consuming a banana. Symptoms of allergic reactions to eating bananas include but are not limited to itchiness, rashes, swellings, wheezing, etc.
Why Do Bananas Give Me Indigestion?
Bananas give or contribute to indigestion in people with digestive problems. Also, people who are not used to eating high-fiber foods and fruits might get indigestion. The reason is that bananas contain high quantities of soluble fiber, which can cause bloating and gas for some people.
Is Banana a Remedy for Acid Reflux?
While bananas cause gas and bloating in some people, they serve as a remedy for acid reflux in others because people are inherently different. Also, factors leading to acid reflux are various for everyone. However, bananas are low in acidic and alkaline content, allowing them to cushion the stomach lining and neutralize excessive hydrochloric acid production. The soluble fiber also helps you feel full for longer, making you less likely to overeat and get acid reflux.
Final Thoughts
Bananas are mild with soluble fiber and a significant degree of alkalinity, which cushions and resolves several digestive problems in most consumers. However, because people are different and can manifest allergies to many things, bananas are not always cool for everyone.
Some people still react adversely to bananas and can have their mouths burn with significant exposure. Therefore, if a banana makes your mouth burn, it would be best to suspect an allergy and report it to your primary healthcare provider for guidance and some antihistamine.
