Why can't I eat a banana and drink Sprite? The viral myth debunked

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Social Media Research Institute, the infamous "Banana Sprite Challenge" went viral in the 2010s, but it's premised on a myth. The internet rumor claims that a dangerous chemical reaction occurs when combining a banana and Sprite, leading to guaranteed vomiting. The real reason why you can't eat a banana and drink Sprite in massive quantities at once is actually far less dramatic and entirely based on a biological limitation.

Quick Summary

The popular rumor of a dangerous chemical reaction between bananas and Sprite is completely false. The vomiting is caused by rapidly overconsuming two items that overwhelm the stomach's capacity, not a chemical interaction.

Key Points

Viral Challenge, Not Chemical Reaction: The myth originated from a social media trend where participants rapidly consumed excessive bananas and Sprite, not from any inherent chemical danger.
Stomach Overload is the Cause: The primary reason for vomiting is exceeding the stomach's limited volume capacity by consuming too much food and liquid too quickly.
Gas Expansion Plays a Role: Carbonation in Sprite releases gas in the warm stomach, which adds volume and pressure, contributing to the feeling of fullness and distress.
Bananas Add Dense Mass: The dense, fibrous texture of bananas takes up significant stomach space and doesn't compress easily, exacerbating the volume problem.
A Physical Phenomenon, Not a Health Risk: The reaction is a physical one, involving stomach pressure, and poses no toxic health risk under normal, moderated consumption.
Stable Foam Formation: Protein from the banana can stabilize the carbon dioxide bubbles from the soda, forming a foam that is difficult to expel through burping, necessitating vomiting.
Normal Consumption is Safe: There is nothing wrong with eating a banana and drinking Sprite together in normal, moderate amounts.

The Truth Behind the Myth: It's All About Volume

Contrary to popular internet lore, there is no dangerous chemical reaction between bananas and Sprite. Consuming them together in moderation poses no more risk than drinking soda with any other food. The sensationalism stems entirely from the context of a social media stunt, the "Banana Sprite Challenge," which pushes the body beyond its physical limits. The discomfort and inevitable vomiting are a direct result of ingesting a large volume of dense solid food and a carbonated liquid at an extremely rapid pace, overloading the stomach's natural capacity. A healthy adult stomach can only comfortably hold about two cups of content at a time. The challenge, which often involves multiple bananas and a two-liter bottle of soda, forces the stomach to exceed this capacity, triggering its protective vomit reflex.

The Banana's Contribution

Bananas are a dense, fibrous fruit. While healthy, their physical properties play a significant role in the challenge's outcome. When chewed, they become a thick, pasty substance that does not compress or absorb liquid well in the stomach. This creates a dense, solid mass that occupies a large amount of space within the stomach. Eating multiple bananas quickly adds this significant, unyielding volume to your system in a very short period, pushing your stomach to its limits even before the soda is introduced.

The Sprite's Contribution

Sprite and other carbonated beverages contain dissolved carbon dioxide. When this cold soda enters the warm stomach environment, the gas becomes less soluble and rapidly escapes, causing the liquid to fizz and expand. This gas expansion in a contained space is the central factor in the stomach-distress formula. This effect is similar to what happens when you combine soda with ice cream to make a float; the bubbles react with proteins to create a voluminous foam.

The Deadly Combination? Not Exactly

The supposed "toxic" combination is, in reality, a physical phenomenon. The dense, starchy bananas, coupled with the expanding gas from the Sprite, quickly fill the stomach past its comfortable limit. As the bananas' proteins interact with the carbon dioxide from the soda, they can create a stable, expanding foam. This foam is problematic because it's difficult to expel through burping. With the stomach overfilled by both solid matter and expanding foam, the only remaining exit for the excess pressure is vomiting. This is a survival mechanism, not a sign of a toxic chemical reaction.

Normal Digestion vs. The Challenge

On a regular day, eating a banana and then enjoying a glass of Sprite is perfectly safe. The body's digestive system is well-equipped to handle this combination when consumed at a normal pace and in reasonable quantities. The digestive juices in the stomach will break down the banana's carbohydrates, and any gas from the soda can be released gradually. The issue is not the food pairing itself, but the abusive manner of the challenge. This is similar to how consuming an entire large pizza and a two-liter soda quickly would also likely lead to vomiting; it is the volume and speed of consumption that are the true culprits.

Comparison Table: Banana and Sprite Challenge


Aspect	Myth Explanation	Scientific Reality
Cause of Vomiting	Toxic chemical reaction.	Stomach overfilling due to rapid consumption.
Role of Banana	Dangerous toxic component.	Adds dense, solid volume that does not compress.
Role of Sprite	Dangerous toxic component.	Adds liquid volume and expands with gas.
The Reaction	A mysterious, harmful reaction.	A physical over-inflation of the stomach.
Level of Danger	Potentially deadly.	Unpleasant and uncomfortable, but not inherently dangerous.
Trigger	The chemical combination.	The quantity and speed of consumption.

Tips for Better Digestive Health

Eat and Drink Slowly: Give your stomach time to process what you consume and signal when it's full. This allows for proper digestion and prevents bloating and discomfort.
Mindful Combinations: Be aware that some combinations, like highly acidic fruits with other items, might cause mild indigestion for sensitive individuals. Listen to your body and adjust accordingly.
Hydrate Sensibly: While drinking with meals is fine, consuming very cold drinks right after eating can inhibit digestive enzymes and slow down digestion for some people.
Moderate Carbonation: For those prone to gas and bloating, excessive carbonated beverages can be a source of discomfort due to the trapped air.

Conclusion

The internet myth suggesting a poisonous reaction from combining bananas and Sprite is nothing more than viral misinformation. The unpleasant vomiting associated with the "Banana Sprite Challenge" is a physical and mechanical consequence of overwhelming the stomach's capacity by rapidly consuming a large amount of solid food and carbonated liquid. The challenge, not the food itself, is the source of the problem. While it's wise to consume carbonated drinks in moderation for other health reasons, you can safely enjoy a banana and a Sprite together. Understanding the science behind these food interactions can help debunk common myths and promote healthier eating habits based on facts, not viral trends.

A Final Consideration

Another interesting physiological aspect, mentioned by a user on the popular science forum Madsci Network, describes the potential for a stable foam to form in the stomach. The protein from the banana can coat the expanding CO2 bubbles from the soda, similar to an ice cream float, creating a foam that cannot be easily released through a burp. This adds another layer to why the stomach may reject the mixture through vomiting. For more information on the principles of digestion, you might find resources from educational institutions helpful.

Your Takeaway

In summary, the key to avoiding digestive distress is moderation. There are no magical, dangerous chemical reactions to fear. The challenge is simply a test of your stomach's physical limits, which, as many have discovered, are easily exceeded. Eat your banana, sip your Sprite, and you'll be just fine. Just don't try to cram it all in at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not inherently dangerous. In normal, moderate amounts, there is no toxic reaction. The myth is based on a viral challenge that involves overconsumption, not a chemical incompatibility.

When you rapidly consume a large amount of bananas and Sprite, you overload your stomach. The combination of dense food and expanding gas from the carbonation triggers the body's natural vomit reflex due to excessive pressure.

Yes. The protein found in bananas can interact with the carbon dioxide in Sprite to form a stable foam, similar to an ice cream float. This foam increases the volume in the stomach and can be difficult to burp out, contributing to the discomfort.

The vomiting is primarily caused by your stomach's limited capacity. Consuming multiple bananas and a large soda at a high speed fills the stomach past its limit, forcing it to expel the contents as a self-protective mechanism.

You might experience some bloating or gas, but this is a common side effect of carbonated beverages and is not specific to combining it with bananas. The effect is typically mild when consumed in normal portions.

Yes, to an extent. The expanding gas effect is more pronounced as the cold soda warms up in your stomach. Additionally, some people find that very cold drinks can slow down their overall digestion.

The idea originated from a social media trend known as the "Banana Sprite Challenge." It was perpetuated as an internet challenge for its perceived gross-out factor, not based on any scientific evidence.