Do Bananas Help with Motion Sickness? The Science and Practical Tips

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

In a survey of bus passengers, 28% reported feeling ill, often from motion sickness. For those seeking relief on the go, the question of whether do bananas help with motion sickness is a common one, and the answer lies in their specific nutritional profile and gentle nature.

Quick Summary

Bananas can help alleviate motion sickness by replenishing potassium and providing a bland, starchy food that is easy to digest. They soothe an upset stomach by absorbing excess acid and providing quick energy. While scientific evidence is largely anecdotal, their use is supported by nutritional factors and common practice in diets for digestive issues.

Key Points

Electrolyte Restoration: Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps replenish electrolytes lost through vomiting, a common symptom of motion sickness.
Stomach-Soothing Starch: The starch in bananas can help absorb excess stomach acid, providing a calming effect on a queasy stomach.
Easy on Digestion: As a key component of the BRAT diet, bananas are known to be bland and easily digestible, making them ideal when other foods are unappealing.
Hydration Support: Dehydration often accompanies motion sickness, and bananas' nutrient content supports rehydration alongside drinking plenty of fluids.
Anecdotal Evidence: While their effectiveness is supported by anecdotal use and nutritional benefits, robust scientific studies specifically proving bananas as an antiemetic for motion sickness are limited.
Complementary Remedy: Bananas are best used as a supportive measure alongside proven remedies like ginger, hydration, and behavioral adjustments like focusing on the horizon.

Understanding Motion Sickness and Nausea

Motion sickness is a common condition caused by a sensory mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear (vestibular system) senses. This conflict sends confusing signals to your brain, leading to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and cold sweats. A primary goal of managing motion sickness is to settle the stomach and restore balance.

The Role of Bananas in Soothing an Upset Stomach

Bananas are a staple of the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet, which is often recommended for individuals recovering from stomach issues, and are known to be gentle on the digestive system. There are several reasons why this simple fruit can be beneficial for motion sickness sufferers:

Replenishing Potassium: Vomiting and dehydration are common side effects of severe motion sickness. When you vomit, you lose essential electrolytes, including potassium. Bananas are rich in potassium and can help restore this crucial mineral, aiding in recovery and alleviating related symptoms like dizziness.
Starch Content: The high starch content in bananas helps to absorb excess stomach acid, which can soothe irritation and combat nausea. This is similar to how crackers and plain toast work to settle a queasy stomach.
Ease of Digestion: Bananas are easy to digest and do not have a strong odor, which can be a trigger for many people with motion sickness. Their blandness makes them a safe food choice when a stronger appetite-stimulating meal is not an option.
Promoting Mucus Production: Some evidence suggests bananas can stimulate the production of mucus from the stomach lining, which creates a protective barrier against acidic gastric substances that cause heartburn and stomach upset.

Comparison of Motion Sickness Remedies

While bananas offer a gentle approach, it's helpful to compare them to other common remedies. This table outlines the differences in their potential benefits.


Remedy	Mechanism of Action	Speed of Relief	Best For...
Bananas	Replenishes potassium, absorbs stomach acid, easy to digest.	Gradual, supportive relief.	Mild nausea and preventing dehydration/electrolyte loss.
Ginger	Contains compounds that speed up gastric emptying and lessen feelings of nausea.	Can be faster-acting, especially when taken preventatively.	Active nausea, particularly if taken before symptoms start.
Plain Crackers	Starch content absorbs stomach acid and settles the stomach.	Quick, immediate soothing effect.	Calming a very queasy stomach in the moment.
Acupressure Bands	Applies pressure to the Nei Guan (P6) point on the wrist to relieve nausea.	Variable, depends on individual response.	Preventing symptoms from starting or as a non-drug option.
Vitamin B6	May help alleviate nausea and vomiting, especially in pregnancy.	Variable, often used as a long-term preventative measure.	Preventing symptoms over a longer journey or when known to be susceptible.

How to Use Bananas for Motion Sickness

For the best results, consider these practical tips when incorporating bananas into your travel routine:

Eat in moderation: Don't eat too many at once, as this can have the opposite effect and overload your stomach.
Pair with other bland foods: Combine with other starchy foods like rice or crackers for a gentle and easy meal.
Have it as a snack: Eating small amounts of food frequently is often better than having large meals, and a banana is a perfect portable snack.
Ripeness matters: A ripe banana is often more easily digestible, but an unripe (green) banana is higher in resistant starch, which has prebiotic properties that can promote better gut health. Experiment to see what works best for you.

Other Supportive Measures for Motion Sickness

Alongside dietary choices, implementing simple behavioral strategies can significantly reduce motion sickness symptoms. These include:

Focus on the horizon: When in a moving vehicle, looking at a fixed point on the horizon can help recalibrate your inner ear and visual senses, reducing the sensory conflict.
Stay hydrated: Sipping on small amounts of water frequently can prevent dehydration, which exacerbates nausea.
Choose your seat wisely: Opt for a seat with less motion. In a car, the front seat is best. On a plane, choose a seat over the wings. On a ship, stay in a cabin in the middle of the vessel at or near the waterline.
Avoid reading: Focusing on something up close, like a book or phone, intensifies the conflict between your eyes and inner ear.
Get fresh air: Increasing air circulation can help relieve symptoms. Open a window in a car or direct an air vent towards you on a plane.

Conclusion

While not a proven scientific cure with antiemetic properties like ginger, bananas do offer a gentle, practical, and effective way to manage the discomfort of motion sickness. By providing potassium to restore lost electrolytes and offering a high-starch, easy-to-digest food, they can help settle a sensitive stomach and combat nausea during travel. Combining a banana with other bland foods and simple behavioral strategies is a well-regarded approach to help you enjoy a smoother, more comfortable journey. For comprehensive information on managing travel-related health issues, consult resources like the CDC's official traveler's health guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bananas help with nausea by providing a bland, easily digestible food that won't irritate an upset stomach. They are also high in starch, which can absorb excess stomach acid, and contain potassium, which helps restore electrolytes lost through vomiting.

A ripe banana is generally easier to digest and provides quick energy, while an unripe (green) banana contains resistant starch that can have a stronger stomach-calming effect. Most people find a ripe banana a gentler option for an already upset stomach.

No, bananas are not a substitute for prescribed or over-the-counter motion sickness medication. They are considered a complementary remedy to help manage symptoms and support recovery, especially by replenishing lost electrolytes. For severe symptoms, medication may be necessary.

For preventative measures, you can eat a small, bland meal including a banana before your journey. If you start feeling nauseous during travel, eating a banana as a small snack can help settle your stomach.

Bananas pair well with other bland, starchy foods like crackers, toast, or plain rice. These are part of the BRAT diet and are recommended for soothing an upset stomach.

Yes, eating too many bananas at once can overload your stomach and potentially worsen symptoms, especially if you are already nauseous. It's best to eat them in small, frequent amounts.

Yes, bananas contain potassium, an important electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in the body. Replenishing potassium is crucial if you have been vomiting or are at risk of dehydration during travel.

Ginger is often cited as one of the most effective natural remedies for nausea and motion sickness, with some scientific evidence supporting its use. It can be consumed as tea, chews, or capsules.