Can you get sick from eating a rotten banana?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you get sick from eating a rotten banana” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can get sick from eating a rotten banana. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of bananas.
Can you get sick from eating a rotten banana?
When it comes to bananas, as long as they do not have any mold on them, eating over-ripe bananas won’t make you sick at all. Overripe bananas are sweeter than ripe bananas (owing to the fact that all of their starch content has changed to glucose) and even have a higher concentration of vitamin C in them.
On the other hand, if the banana is moldy, then devouring such a banana not only can result in some respiratory problems but also some allergic reactions.
Molds can produce mycotoxins which on entering the body can disrupt the gut microflora, thereby weakening the immune system.
Some molds can even produce toxins that can cause organ damage, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neuropsychological symptoms.
So if you spot a mold on your bananas then the best thing you can do is discard them properly.
It is worth mentioning that you should never buy a split banana in the first place as there are great chances that bacteria would have already found their way to the banana from the split peel. So in case you notice that your bananas have split peel, then it is better not to eat them because who wants to eat a banana at the expense of their health, no one, right?
Different ways to spot bad bananas
Certain indicators point out the bad bananas. You should consider the texture and the appearance of the banana to reach a final verdict whether or not it has gone bad.
When fully ripe, the bananas are firm to touch and have a bright yellow peel but as the bananas become overripe, they develop small brown spots on them but that does not mean that the bananas have gone bad.
Now if not only the brown spots have become large enough and the flesh of the bananas have become mushy, then surely it is up to you whether you want to still use it in baked goods or if you want to discard it.
Moreover, if you notice some liquid oozing out of the banana then surely the banana has gone bad and you should discard it.
Last but not least if you spot molds on the banana it means that the banana has gone bad and the best thing you can do in this scenario is to get rid of it.
The bananas that have gone bad have a musty or unpleasant smell associated with them, so if you smell something unpleasant while taking a sniff test of your bananas, then it is better to get rid of such bananas.
What makes the banana overripe?
The banana secretes ethylene gas which is a phytohormone and it is responsible for the over-ripening of the banana.
So what happens is that even after the bananas are harvested, they continue to release the ethylene gas, and resultantly the bananas continue their ripening process.
Thus, this gas is responsible for the textural changes that take place in the bananas and it is the one that is responsible for ultimately turning the bananas into a mushy mess.
How to properly store bananas?
What you can do is to put your bananas in the plastic zipper bag or wrap them in plastic wrap and afterward store them in the fridge.
String the bananas in the polyethylene bags in the fridge may prolong their shelf life, reduce water loss, and keep them fresh for longer.
In case you want to further increase the shelf life of the bananas, you can go ahead and store them in the plastic freezer bags in the freezer. You should peel and cut the bananas before storing them in the plastic freezer bag in the freezer.
If you have over-ripe bananas, then it does not mean that you should discard them as you can use these over-ripe bananas in baking or making smoothies or shakes, etc. provided that there is no mold or organic growth on them.
You can read how to make banana bread here.
What is the shelf life of bananas?
Ripe bananas last for about 5-7 days when stored properly in the fridge. Once you have peeled and cut the bananas, the clock starts ticking and there is a short time during which you can enjoy the good quality of the banana. Cut bananas last for about 2-3 days when stored properly in the plastic zipper bag in the fridge.
It is worth mentioning that these figures are the estimated shelf life of bananas and is the time during which you can enjoy the best quality of bananas provided that they are stored properly.
Other FAQs about Bananas which you may be interested in.
Are bananas bad to eat at night?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you get sick from eating a rotten banana” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can get sick from eating a rotten banana. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of bananas.
Citations
https://www.livestrong.com/article/520879-do-bananas-ever-get-too-rotten-to-cook/
How Long Do Bananas Last and When They’re Bad?
http://shelflifeadvice.com/content/there-any-risk-illness-eating-banana
