The doctor named the reasons for the appearance of bitterness in the mouth after eating bananas

On September 11, Valeria Zaretskaya, a medical worker at the KDC NCC No. 2 of the B.V. Petrovsky Russian National Research Medical Center, explained to Izvestia how oral allergy syndrome (OA) can cause bitterness in the mouth after eating bananas.

"Oral allergy syndrome (or pollen-food syndrome) is not a classic food allergy, but a special cross—reaction. In a person who is already allergic to pollen, plants (for example, birch, ragweed, wormwood), the immune system "confuses" proteins in some fruits and vegetables with pollen proteins, to which there is already a reaction. The structure of these proteins is very similar," the specialist said.

The main symptoms of OSA are manifested in the area of contact with food: itching, burning and tingling on the lips, tongue, gums, palate and throat, as well as swelling and redness around the mouth. They usually occur quickly after eating raw foods such as bananas and resolve on their own within a few minutes or an hour.

"Bitterness in the mouth is not the most typical symptom for classic COA. More often, patients describe itching and swelling. However, taste distortion (dysgeusia) can occur as part of a neurological reaction to an allergen," Zaretskaya clarified.

Learn from scratch: lactose intolerance is most often a threat to residents of Yakutia

Almost 70% of people with this syndrome live in the world, and 61% in Russia.%

In addition, the doctor added that COA often occurs when allergic to birch, wormwood or ragweed pollen. In such cases, a cross-reaction may occur with apples, pears, peaches, cherries, carrots, celery, hazelnuts, kiwis, and bananas.

Zaretskaya also stressed that for proper diagnosis it is important to distinguish between OSA and gastrointestinal diseases.

"If bitterness and discomfort in the mouth appear immediately after eating a raw banana (or other fresh fruits) and pass quickly, while you have hay fever, it is most likely an oral allergy syndrome. It is necessary to consult an allergist, and if bitterness occurs regardless of the type of food, accompanied by abdominal pain, heartburn and appears some time after eating, this is a reason to consult a gastroenterologist to rule out pathology of the biliary system, stomach and esophagus," she concluded.

On September 3, nutritionist, PhD Andrey Bobrovsky said that there are several contraindications for the use of coconut milk. Most often, they include an allergy to coconut. The doctor noted that in rare cases coconut milk can even cause anaphylactic shock, as well as individual intolerance.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.