Bananas are one of nature's perfect foods. They are filling but low in calories, and provide an excellent source of both potassium and fiber. They even come with their own biodegradable wrapper. However, as with any other food, bananas should be consumed in moderation. Eating too many bananas can lead to unpleasant results. You can find out how many bananas are too many for you by determining your total daily intake of potassium, vitamin B6 and magnesium, all potentially dangerous ingredients in bananas.
Headaches
According to the website iFood, consuming too many bananas can cause headaches. This is because bananas contain both tyramine and phenyethyamine, amino acids that cause blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to the brain. Aged foods tend to increase in tyramine, according to the website Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com. This means the longer your bananas sit around, the more likely they will be to give you a headache. To prevent this, consume them while they are still slightly green.
Sleepiness
Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid. The carbohydrates in bananas block other amino acids produced by your body, allowing the tryptophan to enter your brain, which in turn produces seratonin. Seratonin gives you a feeling of sleepiness. In addition, the magnesium found in bananas has a relaxing effect on your muscles, according to the Ego Development website. One banana contains seven percent of your recommended daily magnesium intake, so more than 15 bananas per day may be an overdose. The sleep properties of bananas make them a desirable fruit to eat just before bed, but you may want to avoid them on long road trips.
Hyperkalemia
The potassium in bananas helps to regulate your muscle tissue, digestive process and metabolism. However, an excess amount of potassium in your body can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia, according to the website Medline Plus. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include an irregular heartbeat, nausea and a slower pulse. The greatest danger associated with hyperkalemia is cardiac arrest, where the heartbeat stops entirely. This condition can be treated in an emergency situation with kidney dialysis and water pills, to dilute the potassium in your cells. One banana provides eight percent of the body's recommended daily potassium, according to the website Nutrition and You, so more than 12 bananas a day gives you all the potassium you need and then some.
Nerve Damage
At the extreme end of the spectrum, a bananas-only diet could potentially lead to nerve damage. That is because bananas are high in vitamin B6. This vitamin helps you to maintain a healthy nervous system, as well as helping your body to break down carbohydrates and fats. However, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, a B6 overdose produces a toxic result that can damage your nerves and numb your extremities. Dr. Weil's recommended maximum daily intake of B6 is 100 milligrams, and one serving of banana contains 0.8 milligrams of B6. This means you would need to eat over 100 bananas a day to overdose on vitamin B6, if you are not taking additional B6 supplements. Still, if you feel your limbs becoming numb, it may be time to cut back on the bananas.
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