Are Bananas Bad for Arthritis? (2024)

Bananas can be part of an anti-inflammatory diet for arthritis. Bananas are high in magnesium and potassium—two minerals that can help bone density—and magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.

Bananas contain many nutrients and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

This article discusses the nutritional benefits of bananas and how bananas and other anti-inflammatory foods may help reduce arthritis symptoms.

Nutritional Benefits of Bananas

Banana is a fruit with many health benefits. It has vitamins and minerals such as:

• Fiber
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Protein
• Vitamins B and C
• Zinc

Bananas are mostly known for their high content of potassium, and research has shown that potassium may reduce inflammation, ease arthritis pain, and improve bone health. Getting the nutrients from the actual food may be more beneficial than the supplement.

Bananas also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. These components help protect cells and tissues in the body by fighting offfree radicalsthat can damageDNAandcause mutationsthat can increase your risk of getting health conditions likeheart diseaseandcancer.

How Can Bananas Help Arthritis?

Nutrition plays an important part in your overall health, but bananas alone can’t cure arthritis. They can, however, be part of an overall anti-inflammatory diet. Several types of arthritis are associated with inflammation in the tissues that line the joints and other parts of the body.

Although there isn't a special diet that can cure arthritis, a diet that includes many anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and legumes, can reduce pain, improve other symptoms, and potentially slow the progression of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) happens when the joints break down over time. This type of arthritis is common in the elderly population. The joints that are affected the most are the knees, hips, hands, and lower back. OA can cause severe pain for some patients and disability for others.

Bananas have magnesium, and research has found that magnesium may help OA by reducing inflammation. Although more research is needed, one study found there was an association with magnesium intake had fewer signs of osteoarthritis and joint space narrowing, which leads to OA.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease. When patients have RA, healthy cells are attacked by the immune system by mistake. This causes inflammation in the body. RA affects the joints in the wrist, hands, and knees. It can also affect other tissues causing issues in the organs such as the heart, eyes, and lungs. A healthy diet is recommended for individuals who have arthritis.

Research concluded that the progression of RA can be slowed down with a diet that has strong sources of antioxidants that can deliver an anti-inflammatory effect. It is advised that RA patients minimize and avoid processed food, salt, oils, sugar, butter, and animal products. Fruits and vegetables are highly suggested. Recommended fruits include mangoes, blueberries, peaches, apples, and bananas.

Bananas have potassium and studies suggest that potassium may help RA patients due to its anti-inflammatory effect and it is known to help both bone and cardiovascular health.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that causes swelling, pain, and inflammation in the joints. It typically starts in the big toe and moves to the knees, fingers, and wrists. Severe gout symptoms are often due to too much uric acid in the blood.

Diet plays a role in gout flare-ups, so avoiding high-sugar foods and drinks, red meat, organ meat, shellfish, and alcohol is often recommended. It is advised that eating foods that are low in purine can help reduce uric acid levels.

Bananas may help gout patients because it is considered a low-purine food that contains vitamin C, which may also help reduce inflammation.

Other Types of Arthritis

There are additional types of arthritis that can affect different areas of the body. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in bananas may help reduce swelling, increase bone density, and ease the pain that arthritis causes.

Should Anyone Avoid Bananas?

Bananas are a healthy choice for most people, but a few exceptions exist.

Eating too many potassium-rich foods like bananas may be problematic for people taking ACE inhibitors (Lotensin, Zestril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (Cozaar). These medications can increase blood potassium levels and combining them with too many potassium-rich foods could lead to dangerous heart palpitations.

People who have impaired kidney function or kidney disease may also need to limit potassium-rich foods, including bananas.

Talk with your healthcare provider about consuming bananas if you take these medications or have a kidney condition.

What Other Foods Are Good For Arthritis?

Along with bananas, there are many other foods that are part of an anti-inflammatory diet that may reduce symptoms of arthritis, including:

• Fruits: mangoes, berries, cherries, grapes, peaches, tomatoes, and apples
• Vegetables: artichokes, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens
• Whole grains: oats, barley, brown rice, farro, and quinoa
• Legumes: beans and lentils
• Fish: all kinds and especially fatty fish (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies)
• Poultry
• Nuts and seeds: walnuts, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, pumpkin and sesame seeds
• Healthy fat from olive oil, avocado, flax seeds, and nuts
• Fermented foods: yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut
• Herbs and spices (like cinnamon, ginger,turmeric, and garlic)
  
• Green tea

Summary

Bananas contain magnesium and potassium and also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These components may help bone density and alleviate arthritis symptoms. Eating foods that are part of an anti-inflammatory diet may also help reduce arthritis symptoms.