Bananas and palpitations

[JillB13]

I have noticed that after every time I eat a banana, my heart has fairly strong palpitations for 1-2 minutes. It is the oddest thing. Does anyone have any information about this? I have never had a food allergy, but for some reason these episodes happen like clockwork immediately after I eat a banana.

I currently take atenolol 50mg once per day to deal with another minor arrythmia, but this seems much different.

[Manhattan]

Consider that it could be the "sugar" and not the "potassium" in the banana bringing on more pvcs. I absolutely have more pvcs when I eat sugar or carbs.

[sandra528]

Yes, I believe it's the sugar in the banana.  I read where eating a banana is like having 12 teaspoons of sugar.  I had a banana earlier, and now I have rapid heart beats.  I'm begining to think it's sugar.

[sandra528]

Yes, I believe it's the sugar in the banana.  I read where eating a banana is like having 12 teaspoons of sugar.  I had a banana earlier, and now I have rapid heart beats.  I'm begining to think it's sugar.

[sandra528]

I tested my glucose (because I'm type II diabetic), and it was 112, which is good.  

[dolfnlvr]

By the way...read Celeste77's post about potassium/magnesium connections to IST.  Really good stuff, and deals with some of this amazingly well!!!

[dolfnlvr]

If it bothers you...don't eat it.  That's a good bit of advice.  It does seem to me that the potassium in a banana causing palps immediately after eating it may be a stretch.  I am NOT saying that it doesn't happen, nor am I admonishing the possible connection.  I am just saying that the potassium in a banana would not even begin to be absorbed into the bloodstream until at least 30 minutes after ingestion, and so the potassium link is probably nullified.  Maybe, if bananas cause you a consistent problem with palps, there is another mechanism involved.  Some claim a vagal response to swallowing...do you eat bananas the way many of us do???  Three gigantic bites and it's gone :-)?  

Anyway...I read the posts, and wanted to say that...while the connection between bananas and palps may be more than coincidence, it's probably not the potassium that presents the trigger.

[sandra528]

I believe it's the sugar

[FLBrat]

We have such infinite choices in fresh fruit and vegetables in the southeastern US.  Not sure where you are located.  I like to cut a large bowl of fresh fruit salad on Sunday and keep it in the fridge.  I usually do it while I am catching up with friends on the phone so I feel like I am multitasking.  I will usually have to cut more in a couple days, but it stays pretty well.   My husband's doctor told him to lay off bananas, so I dont keep them around.  (HAH!)  Lots of types of melons and say strawberries, raspberries or blueberries, whatever season is running.  Some grapes.  Pineapple if it looks good.  I got some reusable / throwaway bowls and I have snack to go.  Beats being limited to just one flavor anyday.   If you dont have a refrig at work, buy a small lunchbox size cooler.  Well worth it.

[wmac]

Well obvisouly have over come your palpitations or whatever it is that you have. However someone of us still have fear of them. Which I do everyday. I took the banana to work it was the only thing that was basically to go at my house. Considence maybe, but the point is when you do eat something and you have palps or nsvt it makes you think twice about eating it again. Every time I take vitamines my heart does have alot of extra palps so No I dont take them. Its not worth it to me. And yes I have tried several different times on this one and every single time it happens. Its like touching a hot stove if it hurts the first time and you get burned Im not going to do it again!! Why put yourself through that???

[PVC man]

Never had a banana issue...