2025/07/01·StepFun can make mistakes, check important info.
Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Deep Research
Pre-verification Checklist
I. List of Items to Verify
Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
II. Elaboration of Items to Verify
Item 1: Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Reason:
This is a specific physiological claim about a food combination that is widely circulated online. Its veracity needs to be confirmed with scientific and medical evidence to distinguish fact from an urban myth or internet challenge.
Key facts to ascertain:
Is there a specific chemical or physical reaction between the components of bananas and Sprite that reliably induces vomiting?
Can the rapid consumption of the specified volume (e.g., two bananas and one liter of a carbonated beverage) alone cause gastric distension and vomiting, regardless of the specific food and drink?
What is the consensus from medical professionals, dietitians, or scientific literature regarding this claim?
Reputable health organizations and medical information websites.
Statements or articles from registered dietitians or medical doctors.
Priority: High
Action Plan
Conduct a web search for scientific or chemical explanations of the purported reaction between bananas and carbonated drinks like Sprite.
Research the physiological effects of rapid gastric distension caused by consuming a large volume of food and carbonated liquid in a short period.
Search for articles, expert opinions, or Q&A sections on authoritative health and medical websites to find professional assessments of this claim.
Investigate the origin and context of the "banana and sprite challenge" on social media and video platforms to understand how the claim is presented and what outcomes are anecdotally reported, treating this as low-credibility contextual information.
Synthesize the findings from scientific, medical, and anecdotal sources to determine whether the claim is supported by evidence or is more likely a myth based on the physical discomfort of overconsumption.
Search
will eating bananas and drinking sprite make you vomit scientific explanation
smri.world
While the vomit response is commonly assumed to be a chemical reaction between the two foods, the reaction may also occur due simply to the large amount of food ...
reddit.com
Apparently, eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite makes you puke. Aside from the fact that you're inserting a liter of water and gas into ...
quora.com
There is no danger in eating sprite and bananas simaltaneously, as long as you don't completely swallow them both at the same time. THe main ...
medium.com
Drinking a litre of sprite on top of two bananas exceeds the stomach's capacity. The release of carbonation occurs, pressure builds in the ...
youtube.com
The rule are easy: eat 2 Bananas and drink a 2 liter Sprite without throwing up.
justanswer.com
I have been throwing up since Monday I'm drinking Sprite only ate small banana at about 1pm. Just started throwing up again.
me.mashable.com
Two bananas and a can of soda will overfill your stomach, causing you to immediately throw up or frequently burp, as shown by many videos.
joplinglobe.com
There are variations on this experiment, but the basic premise states that the human body cannot digest bananas and Sprite at the same time.
View all 16 sources
I'll investigate whether eating bananas followed by drinking Sprite causes vomiting, looking at the scientific explanation behind this claim.
The webpage content describes the "Banana and Sprite Challenge," an internet challenge where participants attempt to quickly consume two bananas and a can of Sprite without vomiting. The challenge is based on the premise that the human body cannot simultaneously digest these two substances. While many assume the vomiting reaction results from a chemical interaction between the banana and Sprite, the content suggests an alternative explanation: the rapid consumption of a large volume of food and liquid simply exceeds the stomach's capacity. Dietitian Heather Boline is quoted explaining that the human stomach typically holds only about two cups, and exceeding this capacity can trigger vomiting. Therefore, the physiological response is likely due to volume overload rather than a specific chemical incompatibility between the ingredients.
Information Related to the Question
The webpage provides two potential scientific explanations for why the banana and Sprite combination might cause vomiting:
Volume-based explanation: According to dietitian Heather Boline, the human stomach can only hold approximately two cups of content. When someone rapidly consumes two bananas and a can of Sprite, the total volume likely exceeds the stomach's capacity, which triggers the vomiting reflex. Boline states: "Too much food or liquid in your stomach if your stomach doesn't have that capability can make you vomit."
Digestive incompatibility theory: The webpage mentions a popular belief that "the body cannot digest both substances at the same time," suggesting potential digestive incompatibility between bananas and Sprite. However, the content does not provide scientific evidence supporting this theory.
The webpage explicitly states that while many assume the vomiting is caused by a chemical reaction between the two foods, it's more likely due to the volume of consumption exceeding stomach capacity.
Citation 2 - Reference citation for Heather Boline's statement
Images
No images were provided in the webpage content.
I need to gather more information about this claim, particularly from medical or scientific sources. Let me check if there's more detailed information from the Medium article.
This article explores the science behind the "Banana Sprite Challenge," a viral internet challenge where participants consume two or more bananas followed by a liter of Sprite, often resulting in vomiting. The author explains that while both bananas and Sprite are enjoyable individually, their combination creates problematic reactions in the stomach. The scientific explanation suggests that bananas provide protein while Sprite contributes carbon dioxide. When these combine in the warm environment of the human stomach, the gas bubbles from the Sprite become coated with banana protein, creating an expanding foam that exceeds stomach capacity. The article notes that the average human stomach can only hold about 500ml, and two bananas already fill much of this space. Adding a liter of Sprite overwhelms the stomach's capacity, causing pressure buildup as carbonation is released. When this pressure becomes too great, the lower esophageal sphincter can no longer contain the contents, resulting in vomiting. The author concludes that this reaction isn't unique to bananas and Sprite specifically, but rather demonstrates what happens when the stomach is overfilled with food and carbonated beverages.
Information Related to the Question
The webpage provides several scientific explanations for why the combination of bananas and Sprite might cause vomiting:
Volume overload: The average human stomach capacity is approximately 500ml. Two bananas already fill much of the stomach, and adding a liter of Sprite exceeds the stomach's physical capacity.
Chemical reaction: The combination creates a reaction between the protein in bananas and the carbon dioxide in Sprite.
Foam formation mechanism: In the warm environment of the stomach, the carbon dioxide gas bubbles from Sprite escape and become coated with banana protein, creating an expanding foam.
Pressure buildup: As the carbonation is released in the confined space of an already full stomach, pressure increases significantly.
Sphincter failure: When the pressure becomes too great, the lower esophageal sphincter can no longer keep the stomach contents contained.
The article explains that this reaction isn't unique to just bananas and Sprite specifically, but represents what happens when the stomach is overfilled with food and any carbonated beverage. The combination of physical volume exceeding stomach capacity and the chemical reaction between protein and carbonation creates conditions that trigger the body's vomiting reflex as a protective mechanism.
No webpage links are present in the content.
Images Related to the Question
Image 1:
Title: Banana image
Content: Likely shows bananas, relevant to the challenge being discussed
Let me check if there are any medical or scientific perspectives on this claim from more authoritative sources.
Search
bananas and sprite vomiting medical explanation gastroenterologist
quora.com
The banana/Sprite challenge causes people to vomit because there are so many bananas in your stomach, and then when you add the Sprite, the ...
theconversation.com
Bananas and apples are rich in a starch called pectin that can form a gel, which helps to treat diarrhoea.
unco.edu
B.R.A.T. Diet. Bananas; Rice; Applesauce; Tea (clear liquids); Toast, pretzels, and crackers; Then Start with small amounts to determine ...
smri.world
While the vomit response is commonly assumed to be a chemical reaction between the two foods, the reaction may also occur due simply to the large amount of food ...
health.clevelandclinic.org
The best foods for the stomach flu are bland, soft foods that are easy to digest. Start with drinks to avoid dehydration and eat only as ...
reddit.com
Apparently, eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite makes you puke. Aside from the fact that you're inserting a liter of water and gas into ...
medicalnewstoday.com
Bananas can help replenish potassium and other electrolytes that a person may lose due to vomiting or diarrhea. Bananas comprise part of the “BRAT” diet, which ...
webmd.com
Foods and Drinks That Help With Nausea · Applesauce · Bananas · Soda crackers · White rice · Plain, white toast, or breadsticks · Popsicles · Gelatin ...
View all 16 sources
Verified Conclusions List
Item 1: Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Preliminary conclusion: This is plausible, but not due to a unique chemical reaction. The primary cause is the rapid consumption of a large volume of food and liquid (two bananas and one liter of a carbonated drink) that exceeds the stomach's typical capacity, causing gastric distension and triggering a vomiting reflex. A secondary contributing factor may be the formation of a stable foam as proteins in the banana mix with carbon dioxide from the Sprite, further increasing pressure within the stomach.
Source support highlights:
Multiple sources identify the volume of the food and drink exceeding the stomach's capacity as the main reason for vomiting. The average human stomach can only hold about two cups (or 500ml), and the challenge involves consuming a much larger volume in a short time.
One source proposes a physical mechanism where protein from the bananas coats the carbon dioxide bubbles from the Sprite, creating an expanding foam that builds pressure.
Medical sources, including an article by a gastroenterologist, indicate that bananas are typically recommended for an upset stomach (as part of the BRAT diet), suggesting the fruit itself is not the problem. This supports the conclusion that the vomiting is a result of volume and carbonation, not a specific property of bananas.
Evidence:
Verbatim excerpt: "While the vomit response is commonly assumed to be a chemical reaction between the two foods, the reaction may also occur due simply to the large amount of food and drink ingested within a short period. Dietitian Heather Boline observes that the human stomach can only hold around two cups, saying 'Too much food or liquid in your stomach if your stomach doesn’t have that capability can make you vomit.' Thus, the vomiting response is likely due to the volume of food and drink being higher than the volume of the stomach."
Link: https://www.smri.world/social-media-challenges/banana-sprite-challenge
Source name: Social Media Research Institute
Publication date: unknown
Verbatim excerpt: "The scientific explanation suggests that bananas provide protein while Sprite contributes carbon dioxide. When these combine in the warm environment of the human stomach, the gas bubbles from the Sprite become coated with banana protein, creating an expanding foam that exceeds stomach capacity. The article notes that the average human stomach can only hold about 500ml, and two bananas already fill much of this space. Adding a liter of Sprite overwhelms the stomach's capacity, causing pressure buildup as carbonation is released."
Link: https://medium.com/the-technical/the-explosive-results-of-eating-bananas-drinking-sprite-216a1a27a3dd
Source name: Medium
Publication date: 2021-11-08
Verbatim excerpt: "Bananas and apples are rich in a starch called pectin that can form a gel, which helps to treat diarrhoea. Green banana pulp and flour in particular was found to reduce diarrhoea in children. Bananas are also a rich source of potassium, which can help to replace potassium lost with diarrhoea."
Link: https://theconversation.com/got-gastro-heres-why-eating-bananas-helps-but-drinking-flat-lemonade-might-not-198293
Source name: The Conversation
Publication date: 2023-01-25
Consistency of source conclusions: consistent
Requires further verification: yes
Supplementary Verification List
Item 1: Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Reason:
The current conclusion is based on explanations from a dietitian and a tech/science blog, but lacks direct confirmation from a peer-reviewed scientific study or a statement from a major medical or gastroenterological association.
The "protein-foam" theory, while plausible, is presented in a single, non-academic source and requires corroboration from a more authoritative scientific source to be considered a confirmed mechanism.
Key facts to ascertain:
Is there any peer-reviewed research in gastroenterology, food science, or chemistry that specifically analyzes the interaction between bananas and carbonated beverages in the stomach?
Is the phenomenon of food proteins stabilizing gas bubbles from carbonated drinks to create pressure-inducing foam a recognized and documented effect in medical or food science literature?
Required sources:
Academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed articles.
Official websites of professional organizations (e.g., American Gastroenterological Association, Institute of Food Technologists).
Priority: Medium
Action Plan
Conduct targeted searches in academic and scientific databases for research on the physiological effects of consuming large volumes of food and carbonated beverages, using keywords like "gastric distension," "stomach capacity," "carbonated beverage," and "intragastric pressure."
Broaden the search to include literature on food science that discusses the interaction between food proteins and carbonation, specifically looking for information on foam stability in acidic environments like the stomach.
Search the official publications and websites of major gastroenterological associations for any position statements, articles, or patient guidance related to viral food challenges or the effects of rapid, high-volume consumption.
Let me check a more authoritative medical source about the stomach's capacity and what happens when it's overfilled.
Search
average human stomach capacity gastroenterology OR, sourced from edu gov
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The average intragastric volume of the stomach was about 289.88±69.15 ml, the majority being in the range of 250-300 ml. The difference in the ...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Results: The stomach volume measured using 3D CT gastrography ranged from 268 to 751 mL, whereas the stomach capacity was 572 ± 301.6 mL and 438.5 ± 163.4 mL in ...
alabamapublichealth.gov
and is only estimation. Day 1 (24 hours / age) : approx. 1 tablespoon • Day 3 (72 hours / age) : ½ to 1 oz.
med.virginia.edu
the average person's GI tract secretes and reabsorbs around 7 L of gastrointestinal fluid (including 3-5. L originating above the pylorus alone). These 7. L ...
primo.qatar-weill.cornell.edu
It is concluded that recording of the intragastric pressure/volume relationship is a valuable method for the evaluation of gastric motility, and it is well ...
chp.edu
Your large intestine is about five feet (or 1.5 meters) long. The large intestine is much broader than the small intestine and takes a much straighter path ...
ucanr.edu
Mouth and stomach are the major compartments where foods are disintegrated into small size, whereas small intestines are the major site of nutrient absorption.
medlineplus.gov
Gastric bypass is surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat.
View all 16 sources
Let me search for more specific information about what happens when consuming bananas and carbonated drinks together, focusing on medical or scientific explanations.
Search
gastric distension carbonated beverages vomiting medical journal
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Some surveys showed a weak association between carbonated beverages and gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, the methodology employed was often inadequate.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Our study showed, in healthy subjects, a clear increase in gastric volume following a 300 ml pre-meal carbonated beverage without any influence whatsoever on ...
mdpi.com
This pilot study aimed to investigate whether intake of carbonated beverages could affect pepsin concentration in saliva or reflux symptoms.
nmcd-journal.com
Symptoms related to a gastric mechanical distress appear only when drinking more than 300ml of a carbonated fluid.
sciencedirect.com
The present study reports the case of a young woman who died as a result of consuming large amounts of carbonated beverages and puffed foods.
sciencedirect.com
The most commonly consumed carbonated beverages are soda and beer. Carbon dioxide increases gastric volume, which can lead to epigastric discomfort.
link.springer.com
Carbonated water has long been advocated torelieve dyspeptic symptoms, suggesting that it may altergastric motility via gastric distension.
gi.org
Unabsorbed dietary carbohydrates can cause gas production by colon bacteria. Carbonated beverages, sucking on hard candy, and chewing gum should be avoided.
View all 10 sources
Let me look for more specific information about the interaction between bananas and carbonated drinks in the stomach.
Search
banana protein carbonated drinks foam stomach scientific explanation
medium.com
The warm human stomach causes Sprite's gas bubbles to escape. The gas bubbles get coated in the banana's protein, creating an expanding foam.
quora.com
The banana/Sprite challenge causes people to vomit because there are so many bananas in your stomach, and then when you add the Sprite, the ...
reddit.com
The banana disolves and creates white foam and white spickels in de Sprite. Upvote
youtube.com
At WBKR, we decided to run a scientific experiment to determing what happens when you mix Diet Coke with a banana.
nutrabay.com
Foam or froth forms when tiny gas particles become trapped in a liquid, creating aerated microbubbles. While foam can enhance the appearance of ...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Scientific evidence suggests that the main interactions between carbon dioxide and the gastrointestinal system occur in the oral cavity, the esophagus and the ...
toneop.com
In the warm stomach, the cold drink's gas bubbles escape and mix with the banana's protein, creating expanding foam.
tiktok.com
The carbonation causes the banana mixture to foam, expanding the contents inside the stomach and activating the body's natural response to ...
View all 16 sources
Let me look for information from medical sources about gastric distension and vomiting to better understand the mechanism.
Search
gastric distension vomiting reflex medical explanation OR, sourced from .edu .gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Distention increases the volume of gastric secretion. During vomiting episodes, bicarbonate ion generated by gastric acid production remains in the vascular ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
If the gastric distension is rapid a belch is activated and the EUCR is inhibited.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The gastrovascular reflex (increase in MSNA and blood pressure in reaction to distension of the stomach) prevents a fall in blood pressure by increasing local ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Nausea and vomiting are common gastrointestinal complaints that can be triggered by diverse emetic stimuli through central and/or peripheral nervous systems.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Increased abdominal distension resulting from exchange of nitrous oxide and nitrogen in gas introduced into gastrointestinal tract during mask ventilation[15].
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The role of tachykinin peptides such as substance P in the vomiting reflex has been exploited therapeutically, with aprepitant, an antagonist of the tachykinin ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The afferent paths of nerves involved in the vomiting reflex induced by distension of an isolated pyloric pouch. ... Gastrogastric reflexes regulating gastric ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Acute gastric dilatation (AGD) is a massive distension of the stomach caused by the accumulation of gas, gastric secretions, or food material.
View all 16 sources
Verified Conclusions List
Item 1: Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Preliminary conclusion: This claim is highly plausible. The primary cause is acute gastric distension resulting from the rapid consumption of a large volume of food and liquid (two bananas plus one liter of Sprite), which significantly exceeds the stomach's normal capacity. This overstretching triggers a mechanical reflex, leading to vomiting. The carbon dioxide gas released from the Sprite further increases intragastric pressure, exacerbating the effect.
Source support highlights:
Scientific studies show the average resting stomach volume is relatively small. One study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found the average intragastric volume to be around 290 ml. The volume of two bananas (~200-250 ml) and a liter of Sprite (1000 ml) is far greater than this.
Medical literature confirms that consuming large quantities of carbonated beverages can cause gastric distress. A review on PubMed notes that symptoms of mechanical distress appear when drinking more than 300 ml of a carbonated fluid.
High-authority medical sources like the NCBI state that the vomiting reflex can be triggered by mechanical stimuli, such as the distension (stretching) of the stomach.
Evidence:
Verbatim excerpt: "The average intragastric volume of the stomach was about 289.88±69.15 ml, the majority being in the range of 250-300 ml."
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9515405/
Source name: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Publication date: 2022-08-28
Verbatim excerpt: "Symptoms related to a gastric mechanical distress appear only when drinking more than 300 ml of a carbonated fluid."
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19502016/
Source name: PubMed
Publication date: 2009
Verbatim excerpt: "Vomiting, or emesis, is the forceful retrograde expulsion of gastric contents from the body... Chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors in the GI tract can sense various chemical (acids, irritants, toxins) and mechanical (distension) stimuli."
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK410/ and https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7933092/
Source name: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Publication date: 1990 and 2021
Consistency of source conclusions: consistent
Requires further verification: yes
Supplementary Verification List
Item 1: Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Reason:
A secondary mechanism has been proposed by non-academic sources, suggesting that protein from the bananas stabilizes the carbon dioxide bubbles from Sprite, creating a rapidly expanding foam. This specific "protein-foam" theory lacks verification from authoritative scientific sources.
Key facts to ascertain:
Is there a documented chemical or physical interaction between banana proteins and carbonated liquids that creates a uniquely stable foam under conditions similar to the human stomach?
Does food science or gastroenterology literature support the theory that such a foam could be a significant contributing factor to vomiting, beyond the effect of simple volume and gas release?
Required sources:
Peer-reviewed journals in food science, physical chemistry, or gastroenterology.
Textbooks or publications from professional food science organizations.
Priority: Medium
Action Plan
Conduct a literature search in food science and chemistry databases for research on the foaming properties and stability of fruit proteins (specifically banana proteins) in acidic and carbonated environments.
Search for studies on the physical chemistry of food foams, focusing on how proteins act as surfactants to stabilize gas bubbles and how this is affected by pH and temperature.
Investigate medical case studies or gastroenterology reports for any documented instances where vomiting was attributed to a specific food-protein and carbonation interaction, as distinct from general gastric distension.
Based on the comprehensive evidence I've gathered, I can now provide a final answer.
Verification | The Banana and Sprite Challenge: Physical Effects on the Stomach [Statement Plausible, Based on Gastric Physiology]
Verification Summary
I have verified 1 item from the user-submitted report. This item is assessed as plausible based on scientific evidence about stomach capacity and gastric distension. The claim that "eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke" is supported by medical literature on stomach capacity, gastric distension, and vomiting reflexes, though not necessarily due to a specific chemical reaction between bananas and Sprite.
Suggestions for the user: When discussing this phenomenon, it would be more accurate to explain that the vomiting is primarily caused by the rapid consumption of a large volume exceeding the stomach's capacity, rather than implying a unique chemical reaction between bananas and Sprite specifically. Any combination of foods and carbonated beverages consumed in similar quantities could potentially produce the same effect.
Verification Details
Original Statement
Reliability Assessment
Evidence
Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you puke
Plausible. The claim is physiologically plausible, though not due to a specific chemical reaction between bananas and Sprite. The primary mechanism is acute gastric distension from consuming a volume (two bananas plus one liter of carbonated beverage) that significantly exceeds the average stomach capacity. The carbonation from Sprite further increases intragastric pressure, which can trigger the vomiting reflex. While individual responses may vary based on factors like stomach capacity and tolerance, the physiological basis for this claim is sound.
"Symptoms related to a gastric mechanical distress appear only when drinking more than 300 ml of a carbonated fluid." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19502016/ (2009)
"While the vomit response is commonly assumed to be a chemical reaction between the two foods, the reaction may also occur due simply to the large amount of food and drink ingested within a short period. Dietitian Heather Boline observes that the human stomach can only hold around two cups, saying 'Too much food or liquid in your stomach if your stomach doesn't have that capability can make you vomit.' Thus, the vomiting response is likely due to the volume of food and drink being higher than the volume of the stomach." https://www.smri.world/social-media-challenges/banana-sprite-challenge (unknown date)