“Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, and berries, including blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and many other fruits like pomegranate, grapes, cherries, quinces, apples, watermelon, banana, papaya, plums, and currants are also sources of dietary lectins.”
Still, there are some fruits and vegetables that contain only some amount of lectin-like: apples, arugula, artichokes, asparagus, beets, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, chives, collards, kale, leafy greens, leeks, lemons, mushrooms, okra, onions, ...
While bananas do contain lectins, they are not considered to be a major source of lectins. Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories and fat. Lectin is a protein that is found in the pulp of ripe bananas and plantains.
Yes, blueberries are lectin-free and some of the best fruits you can have on a low-lectin diet. Wild blueberries are the best because they are lower in sugar and more nutritious.
Eggs Eggs too are included in the lectin-free way of life, but must be pasture-raised.
Lectins everywhere
“Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit, and berries, including blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and many other fruits like pomegranate, grapes, cherries, quinces, apples, watermelon, banana, papaya, plums, and currants are also sources of dietary lectins.”
Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins. [6] Lectins are water-soluble and typically found on the outer surface of a food, so exposure to water removes them. An example is dried beans.
Lectin is a carbohydrate-binding protein that can be found in varying amounts in most plants, including beans, pulses, grains, fruits and vegetables (eg, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, berries, watermelon), nuts, coffee, chocolate, and some herbs and spices (eg, peppermint, marjoram, nutmeg).
Cucumber contains a protein called lectin which Dr Steven Gundy, a respected heart surgeon and cardiologist, has studied in great detail and has found a link between memory loss and lectins.
Gastrointestinal Issues and Ulcers
Due to its acidity, it can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. One of the downsides of drinking lemon water daily is that it can trigger the development of ulcers. The acid in lemons can harm the stomach and intestinal linings, leading to ulcers.
Lemons contain vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, and are a source of plant compounds called flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and fibre – and that gives them a range of benefits for supporting gut health. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C protects the cells against free radicals, and has the potential to reduce gut inflammation and boost the immune system.
As lectins reach the small intestine, they can bind to receptors on the intestinal cell lining and cause damage. Larger amounts of lectins are found in certain plant foods like legumes, wheat, seeds, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables.
Damage to the Digestive System
Certain types of lectin may bind with the walls of your digestive system which can lead to serious problems. Eating one particular lectin, phytohemagglutinin, can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Citrus fruits cause inflammation
Some people believe that they should avoid citrus fruits because the acidity is inflammatory. However, this is not the case. In fact, citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Most types of fruit – especially goji berries, cherries and blackberries (seasonal fruit is thought to be lower in lectins). Most types of vegetables – especially butternut squash, pumpkin and 'nightshade vegetables' like: peppers, tomatoes, aubergine, and potatoes.
Because lectins can trigger an immune response, they have been linked to autoimmune inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes.
Cow's Milk: As a reminder from chapter 2, almost all products from cow's milk contain a lectin-like protein called casein A-1, so avoid ice cream, yogurt (even Greek yogurt), and cheese.
Which foods are high in lectins? Lectin-containing foods include nightshades, like tomatoes and potatoes; vegetables with seeds, like squash and cucumbers; grains including wheat, rice, and oats; and legumes, including non-pressure-cooked beans, split peas, and lentils.