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Bananas and Sprite: Vomiting Myth or Fact?
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

  1. 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:
    1. 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:
    1. Is there a specific chemical or physical reaction between the components of bananas and Sprite that reliably induces vomiting?
    2. 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?
    3. What is the consensus from medical professionals, dietitians, or scientific literature regarding this claim?
  • Required sources:
    1. Scientific journals (chemistry, biology, gastroenterology).
    2. Reputable health organizations and medical information websites.
    3. Statements or articles from registered dietitians or medical doctors.
  • Priority: High

Action Plan

  1. Conduct a web search for scientific or chemical explanations of the purported reaction between bananas and carbonated drinks like Sprite.
  2. Research the physiological effects of rapid gastric distension caused by consuming a large volume of food and carbonated liquid in a short period.
  3. Search for articles, expert opinions, or Q&A sections on authoritative health and medical websites to find professional assessments of this claim.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

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
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
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
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
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.
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV2SCCYEP86J49D30063BJ9M
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV2SCCYEP86J49D30063BJ9M
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV2SCCYEP86J49D30063BJ9M
View all 16 sources

I'll investigate whether eating bananas followed by drinking Sprite causes vomiting, looking at the scientific explanation behind this claim.

web parsing

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.

web parsing

Let me check if there are any medical or scientific perspectives on this claim from more authoritative sources.

search

Search

bananas and sprite vomiting medical explanation gastroenterologist
quora.com
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
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
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 ...
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV1PGSEJZS4R5BZAQ71SYTGM
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JVBVBK5XSG4FGK9Y4KJJ0DV6
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV8XCQ947ZZ08DJS69T8REFP
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:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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:
    1. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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:
    1. 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.
    2. 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:
    1. 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?
    2. 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:
    1. Academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar) for peer-reviewed articles.
    2. Official websites of professional organizations (e.g., American Gastroenterological Association, Institute of Food Technologists).
  • Priority: Medium

Action Plan

  1. 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."
  2. 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.
  3. 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

Search

average human stomach capacity gastroenterology OR, sourced from edu gov
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.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
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
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
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
medlineplus.gov
Gastric bypass is surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat.
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV1X2W6PPJJ68RWD8M2H075J
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV1YK7GK1MZ3FX2VREAVRSP3
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV1W40M4JMTY1N36ZFX5G50C
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

Search

gastric distension carbonated beverages vomiting medical journal
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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
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
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
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
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
link.springer.com
Carbonated water has long been advocated torelieve dyspeptic symptoms, suggesting that it may altergastric motility via gastric distension.
gi.org
gi.org
Unabsorbed dietary carbohydrates can cause gas production by colon bacteria. Carbonated beverages, sucking on hard candy, and chewing gum should be avoided.
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JVCF6HT8S71XAR7EBYMT8K2H
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV47G88KTWCPESEZH3JCAP53
View all 10 sources

Let me look for more specific information about the interaction between bananas and carbonated drinks in the stomach.

search

Search

banana protein carbonated drinks foam stomach scientific explanation
medium.com
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
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
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
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
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 ...
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JVBVBK5XSG4FGK9Y4KJJ0DV6
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JV2SCCYEP86J49D30063BJ9M
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01JVBTTHHS9S40FR683NJAXY0N
View all 16 sources

Let me look for information from medical sources about gastric distension and vomiting to better understand the mechanism.

search

Search

gastric distension vomiting reflex medical explanation OR, sourced from .edu .gov
ncbi.nlm.nih.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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01J7E9YA8AD76D5AP3RKNDWDP3
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01J7E9YA8AD76D5AP3RKNDWDP3
https://static-favicon.basemind.com/01J7E9YA8AD76D5AP3RKNDWDP3
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:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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:
    1. 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
    2. 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
    3. 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:
    1. 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:
    1. 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?
    2. 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:
    1. Peer-reviewed journals in food science, physical chemistry, or gastroenterology.
    2. Textbooks or publications from professional food science organizations.
  • Priority: Medium

Action Plan

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 StatementReliability AssessmentEvidence
Eating a couple bananas and then drinking a liter of sprite will make you pukePlausible. 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."The average intragastric volume of the stomach was about 289.88±69.15 ml, the majority being in the range of 250-300 ml." https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9515405/ (2022-08-28)

"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)

"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." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK410/ and https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7933092/ (1990 and 2021)

"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)