Q. I have suffered with GERD (acid reflux) for several years. One night when dealing with a bad session, I ate a banana. I have no idea why; I certainly didn’t expect any result. Within 30 minutes I was able to go back to sleep.
Since then, whenever a bad episode of heartburn occurs I eat one or two bites of banana and the problem goes away. Doctors have no explanation for this. Nonetheless, it works every time and it’s not a drug. We almost always have a banana in the house.
A. We’re not surprised that you have found bananas helpful. Doctors in India have prescribed bananas or banana powder to treat indigestion and stomach upset from aspirin. According to a study published long ago in The Lancet (March 10, 1990), banana powder relieved indigestion in 75 percent of patients.
