Why is banana linked to cough and cold?

A study suggested that banana a day may increase the odds of wheezing, but not of asthma. Additionally, banana consumption may induce cold-like symptoms in coughing in food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA). FDEIA is a rare, severe allergic reaction that develops exclusively when any physical activity is followed by food ingestion usually within a few hours. The patient may show symptoms including rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion among other symptoms almost immediately after eating two bananas post-exercise. Banana for cough

Banana is a histamine-rich fruit. Ingestion of histamine-rich food that releases histamine may provoke congestion of the nose and asthmatic wheezing. Our body usually can break histamine in food. However, it is a good idea to avoid histamine-rich food like bananas during cold till you recover. Consumption of banana can cause liberation of histamine, which in turn, can increase mucus production. Lectin, a protein in bananas can activate the cells producing histamine to release it, leading to the symptoms in individuals with an allergy to bananas.

Is banana bad for cough? Not for all kinds of cough! Eating bananas while coughing can be remedial in some cases. Let’s see how! A banana can be your ally if you tend to cough due to acid reflux. Banana is an alkaline fruit, rich in pectin. Pectin in bananas prevents the food from staying long in the stomach limiting acid production. This reduces the likelihood of acid reflux and associated symptoms including coughing. Banana is still your best bet if you are suffering from a dry cough. Eating a banana with a teaspoon of honey and two pinches of black pepper daily is an effective remedy for a dry cough.