Dr. Roman Oparin, Associate Professor in the Department of General Biology and Bioecology at the University of Education, stated that to be exposed to a dangerous dose of radiation, one would have to eat about 27 bananas a day for a whole year.
According to him, the term "banana equivalent" is simply a scientific metaphor to illustrate the minute doses of radiation in everyday life.
He says: "The claim that bananas are the most radioactive fruit is nothing more than a common scientific metaphor. Physicists coined the term 'banana equivalent' as a convenient way to explain the very small doses of radiation on an everyday scale. Yes, bananas do contain a radioactive isotope of potassium, potassium-40, which has been around since the beginning of the Earth and occurs naturally in soil, water, and plants. But it's important to understand that potassium is a vital element for all living things. Is it possible to get a dangerous dose just by eating a banana? Practically speaking, no. To achieve that, you would need to eat about 27 bananas a day for a whole year. In addition, the body regulates potassium levels very precisely."
The scientist points out that bananas are not the only, or even the strongest, source of natural radiation among foods. For example, Brazil nuts contain a higher amount of naturally occurring radionuclides, and seafood contains polonium-210.
He says: "There are foods that are more radioactive than bananas. For example, Brazil nuts contain a much larger amount of naturally occurring radionuclides. Some foods, especially seafood, contain natural isotopes, such as polonium-210, but in amounts that do not pose a risk in a normal diet. It should also be noted that mushrooms are able to absorb radioactive materials from the soil, so the main factor is where they are collected, not how they are processed."
