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| - Last Updated on April 23, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims eating banana along with milk causes indigestion, banana with potato causes hyperpigmentation and banana with watermelon causes diarrhoea. We fact checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
The video posted on Instagram, features a woman speaking in Malay and warning about three types of food that should not be consumed with bananas. The video has garnered over 46,000 likes till we last checked.
In the clip, the woman cautions that consuming milk after eating a banana may lead to indigestion, and combining bananas with potatoes may result in hyperpigmentation. She also warns that combining bananas with watermelon can cause diarrhoea due to the “cooling” properties of both fruits.
Fact Check
Does eating certain foods together cause harm to health?
Not enough evidence. There is limited scientific evidence to confirm that a specific combination of foods can have negative effects on the body. A research paper published in 2010 informs that food combining diets were created over 100 years ago with limited understanding of digestion and nutrition, and many of their principles are now unsupported. This research paper further informs that genetics, health conditions, and medications can affect how the body responds to certain foods, but toxic or fatal effects from combining foods are unlikely, except for known allergies (for e.g., lactose intolerant). From the available evidence, it is clear that the digestive system operates on biochemical principles, and the idea of food combining is based on ancient alternative therapy texts and lacks scientific evidence. A research paper published in 2015 informs that the stomach’s highly acidic environment makes it unlikely for food to rot in the gut. Digestion does not end in the stomach; the small intestine performs the critical functions of digestion and absorption. The digestive system can handle multiple nutrients simultaneously, as enzymes specific to each macronutrient are secreted together, allowing for efficient digestion of any food combination unless the gut is damaged.
Is it true that combining bananas with milk, potatoes, or watermelon causes indigestion, hyperpigmentation and diarrhoea?
Possible in certain scenarios. There is no strong evidence with clinical trials in ancient Ayurveda, traditional medicines and also in modern medicines to confirm combining foods causes medical conditions as mentioned in the claimed social media post. However, people with certain underlying health conditions might develop health issues after eating mentioned food combinations.
We researched and found that the claimant of the video is @pharmacistcho. We did not find any other information about her. Her Instagram page informs that the claimant is a pharmacist and is associated with the brand Amway.
We researched and found that the statement ‘banana with milk causes indigestion’ has an undecidable proposition. An old research paper published in 1952 shows that the combination of banana and milk was found out to be helpful in treating children with kwashiorkor. During this research, mixing banana with milk was found to be an excellent vehicle for protein as well as providing a form of carbohydrates which is well digested by the children and didn’t cause any indigestion problem.We have not received any papers that have been studied recently.
On the contrary, evidence also informs that someone who is lactose intolerant, or has any issue with digesting milk which is adulterated with melamine and urea to increase its apparent protein content, the combination may cause indigestion. Such people can suffer from symptoms of bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Bananas, on the other hand, do not contain lactose and are generally well-tolerated by people with lactose intolerance.
Nutritionist Anurupa Bose informs “Combination of milk and banana may seem ideal for meeting our nutritional needs and won’t be damaging to health for many of us. However, these foods work differently once it enters into our body together. They not only disturb the digestive systems being heavy in nature, but may disrupt the sinus leading to cough, cold, congestion and allergic rashes in some people who have such a tendency.”
Also, no credible scientific evidence supports the claim that a combination of bananas with potatoes causes freckles or hyperpigmentation. In fact, freckles are typically caused by genetic factors and sun exposure, and hyperpigmentation can be caused by a variety of factors including hormonal changes, medication side effects, and certain medical conditions.
Likewise we found no credible evidence that confirms consuming bananas with watermelon causes diarrhoea. Both modern science and traditional science do not support the claim that consuming bananas and watermelon causes diarrhoea. Both bananas and watermelon are rich in fibre, water, and nutrients that can help regulate digestion and prevent constipation.
However, evidence shows that some people with gastrointestinal problem such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be more sensitive to certain fruit combination and may experience digestive symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating, or gas after consuming a diet high in FODMAP (bananas with watermelon) could potentially cause diarrhoea due to their high fibre content. Another evidence found that eating unwashed watermelon can make you sick with symptoms like stomach pain, feeling like you need to vomit, and having diarrhoea. This happens because there are bacteria living on the surface of these foods, and when they are cut open, the bacteria can get into your body and cause an infection in your intestines.
A study published in 2014 which focused on the oral allergy syndrome (OAS), a condition where a person experiences allergic reactions due to cross-reactivity between allergens in certain foods and pollen in their mouth and throat, leading to symptoms such as itching or burning in the mouth, ears, and throat, a red rash around the mouth, hives, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. The allergic reaction may also affect the eyes, nose, and skin, with swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, and breathing difficulties. Symptoms usually last a short time, but digestive problems like diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, and cramps may also occur if the person consumes the allergen. It is possible that some people might have allergies to certain food combinations that can cause oral allergy syndrome.
Nutritionist Bose further informs “Food combination often doesn’t hurt healthy adults when consumed in moderation. However, people with underlying health issues might have some unwanted symptoms. Eating too much watermelon can cause gastric issues such as bloating, diarrhoea and stomach ailments because of the presence of sugar compounds named sorbitol and lycopene as both of these promote gas problem and loose stools. Watermelon is naturally made up of 92- 95% of water which promotes bowel movement.
On the other hand, banana is considered as an antidote for digestive issues such as bloating and diarrhoea because of its high starch and low fibre content. Combining these two actually gives us amazing tasty shakes and smoothies, but there is no scientific evidence that combination of these two can cause diarrhoea.”
It is important to understand that each person’s nutritional needs are unique and depend on a variety of factors such as age, gender, activity level, and overall health status. A balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein in sources, and healthy fats, can provide most individuals with the nutrients they need to maintain good health. If an individual has a specific health condition or concern, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to develop an appropriate diet plan. Additionally, individuals should avoid following restrictive or fad diets without consulting a healthcare professional, as they may not be based on sound nutrition principles and could potentially harm their health.
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