will 9 bananas kill?

[jonnylayze]

My brother in law has just said that if you eat 9 bananas in one sitting, the level of potassium in those bananas is enough to kill you. Is this an urban myth or is it 'fruit fact?

PS - it's quite quiet here

PPS - he is adamant

[Famous Graham]

jonnylayze said:

PPS - he is adamant

Went down hill after "Prince Charming" tbh.

[Balmoral Green]

Inserted which end?

[Cara Van Man]

bo-llocks

[elster]

I eat lots of bananas and never heard this one before.

I will report back tomorrow as to whether dead or not.

[TWSTEEL]

Depends on your BP and medication but could potentially be harmful.

[VxDuncan]

Given the "Guiness and Banana diet" (where the old things you're allowed to eat/drink are guiness and bananas) was popular during rag week at uni I'd say you'll be fine.

My flatmate kept it up for two and a half weeks as he'd bought too much Guiness.

He has gone a bit odd now though.

[mybrainhurts]

The nuns won't be pleased....

[john_p]

"Although there is no established safe upper limit, potassium toxicity appears to develop with an intake of approximately 18 grams and may lead to cardiac arrest. "

http://www.healthline.com/hlbook/nut-potassium


A medium banana contains about 560mg of potassium, so 18 grams = 32 bananas...

[RemaL]

Balmoral Green said:

Inserted which end?

my thoughts

[SleeperCell]

In theory this is true but the 'real' number (which I've forgotten) is something like 50+ bananas in one sitting, eating 9 will probably just make you constipated.

[chris watton]

I used to love bananas, until one day, when I was young; I ate what must have been almost nine of them. Afterwards, I had the most acute stomach pains for ages.
Ever since, if I just have one bite of a banana, I will have the same very acute stomach pains! Peevs me off, because I used to love ‘em!

Edited by chris watton on Sunday 25th January 20:13

[skip_1]

You'd be pissing a lot!

[Marf]

Famous Graham said:

jonnylayze said:

PPS - he is adamant

Went down hill after "Prince Charming" tbh.

Well obviously ridicule is nothing to be scared of for him if he thinks 9 bananas will kill you.