Are Bananas high in Amines or Histamines?

Bananas are not just a beloved snack; they hold fascinating secrets behind their vibrant peel.

That lovely sweet banana flesh has an interesting chemical profile when it comes to salicylate and amine or histamine, as well as glutamate content.

Understanding Salicylates, Amines, and Histamines and Glutamates.

Salicylates are natural compounds found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and foods. For some, these chemicals can cause allergy like reactions, and issues such as skin rashes, itchy skin, eczema, gut issues, nausea and many more manifestations.

On the other hand, amines and histamines are compounds which play a crucial role in mood, sleep, and digestive health. They are often linked with food sensitivities such as mighraines, headaches, gut issues, reflux, hives, angioedema, just to name a few.

Histamines in foods belong to a group of chemicals called Amines, however, both these words tend to be used interchangeably.

Glutamate, an amino acid naturally found in many foods and added as a flavor enhancer (like MSG), can be a trigger for sensitivity in some individuals. While widely considered safe in typical consumption, some people experience adverse reactions after consuming high levels of glutamate. Symptoms can include headaches, digestive issues, and even more severe reactions. 

The Unique Composition of Bananas

Bananas shine due to their low salicylate content. This is starkly different to most other fruits (except papaya) which tend to be rich in salicylates. Even pears, which are considered low in salicylates, are not as low as bananas.

Salicylates are concentrated in the skin and just under the skin so it is probably not surprising that bananas have no salicylate content to speak of, as we tend to choose banan flesh over eating the skin!

Bananas and Histamines

Most histamine lists categorise bananas as high histamine unlike the histamine/amine list in the from the Royal Prince Alfred Hosppital (RPAH) charts which list bananas (common, not lady finger) as moderate in amines when just ripe. As they ripen, RPAH charts show that bananas are classified as high in amines/histamines.

In fact, the AMINE CHALLENGE features very ripe bananas, alongside with a lot of chocolate every day- a very popular challenge.

Of the thousands of people I have seen who are amine sensitive, most report they are fine with bananas as long as they are not ripe.

Those with amine sensitivity who find that just ripe bananas does not agree with them are likely to be extra amine sensitive. Most people don't fit in this category.

Lady Finger bananas and Amines, Histamines

Lady finger bananas, unlike the common banana, are high in amines and histamines, even if just ripe, according to the RPAH charts. Make sure you are choosing the common bananas (just ripe) if you have an amine or histamine sensitivity.

Under Ripe Bananas or Green Bananas

Under ripe bananas are not high in amines, but they are notably high in resistant starch. While resistant starch is good for your gut microbes (as a prebiotic), some find, especially if they have a sensitive gut, that their gut cannot tolerate this level of reistant starch very well. If you are going for an unripe banana to keep amines/histamines low, choose a yellow banana rather than a green banana.

Just ripe bananas are moderate in amines

BANANAS and FODMAPS

If you are sensitive to FODMAPs or following a low FODMAP diet as well as lowering your salicylates and/or amines and histamines, you are in luck because.... bananas when just ripe are low in amines and also low in FODMAPs. Just choose a common banana rather than a lady finger banana because lady finger bananas are higher in amines and histamines. Bananas are, of course, naturally low in salicylates regardless of how ripe or unripe they are.

Benefits of Including Bananas in Your Diet

If you are amine or histamine sensitive and your symptoms are well managed, trial a just ripe banana to determine your individual tolerance.

It is worth having bananas in the diet to expand your nutrititonal intake, given that they are packed with essential nutrients, such as

• unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins (A and C)

• potassium:  a medium size banana contains 450–467 mg of potassium.

• vitamin C (12.7 mg/100 g)

• and vitamin A (12.4 mg/100 g).

A medium size banana contains about 6 g of fibre which supports digestion and help maintains a healthy gut..

Furthermore, bananas are gentle on the stomach, making them suitable for individuals recovering from illness or in need of a light option.

Bananas provide a quick source of energy, making them a favorite for athletes and those who lead active lifestyles. Studies show that consuming a banana before a workout can enhance performance and endurance, helping athletes feel energized during physical activity.

Final Thoughts

Banana bunch representing organic growth and nutrition.

Bananas are not just a delicious fruit; they are uniquely characterized by their lack of salicylates and only moderate levels of amines and histamines if just ripe. This unique profile can greatly benefit those with salicylate sensitivities, and may be tolerated by those with amine and histamine sensitivities as long as they are just ripe.

REFERENCES

1. Loblay, R, Soutter, V & Swain, A 2019, Friendly Food, Allen & Unwin.

2. Monash University Low FODMAPapp, April 2025

3. Afzal, M. F., Khalid, W., Akram, S., Khalid, M. A., Zubair, M., Kauser, S., … Anusha Siddiqui, S. (2022). Bioactive profile and functional food applications of banana in food sectors and health: a review. International Journal of Food Properties, 25(1), 2286–2300. https://doi.org/10.1080/10942912.2022.2130940