Bananas – 5 Important Health Benefits Of Bananas
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A tasty and practical source of a few key nutrients, bananas. Since ancient times, people have grown this tropical fruit, and for more than a century, its health advantages have been touted.
Bananas can be consumed raw or added to your preferred smoothie. You can eat banana bread, banana muffins, or a homemade peanut butter and banana sandwich. There are a lot of options.
Plus, bananas:
- Can be found at your grocery store all year long
- Are easily stored
- Come in their own yellow carrying case when you’re on the go
Health Benefits Of Bananas
Bananas are a popular fruit that is widely consumed all around the world. They are a rich source of essential nutrients and offer several health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of bananas:
1. Powerful Potassium
You get 422 milligrams from a medium banana, 9% of your daily requirement. The role of this mineral in heart health is significant.
Foods high in potassium help you eliminate more sodium when you urinate, which lowers your blood pressure. Additionally, potassium relaxes the walls of your blood vessels, which lowers your blood pressure.
What’s more, potassium:
- May lower your risk of stroke
- Can help keep your bones healthy as you age
- Helps your muscles work better
- Can help prevent kidney stones
But if you have kidney problems, too much potassium isn’t good for you. Check with your doctor to see how much you should have.
2. A Feast Of Fibre
The benefits of including the right amount of fibre in your diet are well known. You can get 3 grams of it from an average-sized ripe banana. That amounts to about 10% of your daily requirements. Bananas contain a significant amount of soluble fibre.
It can lessen inflammation and help control your blood pressure and cholesterol. Resistant starch is widely present in green bananas. It functions similarly to insoluble fibre, which can keep your bowels operating as efficiently as possible. Your blood sugar is also lowered by resistant starch.
Generally speaking, fibre-rich foods give you a feeling of fullness without adding calories. They are a good option if you want to lose a few pounds because of this as well.
3. A Happier Belly
Bananas also appear healthy for your stomach. The yellow fruit has prebiotics in it.
You cannot digest those carbohydrates, but the more well-liked probiotics use them as a food source. These are the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Additionally, there is proof that probiotics can lessen the bothersome diarrhoea that some people experience after taking antibiotics.
They can also help:
- Improve yeast and urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Treat some gastrointestinal infections
- Ease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Lessen lactose intolerance
- Work on some allergy symptoms
Probiotics may even help make colds and the flu less severe.
4. The Right Amount Of Carbs
Bananas contain carbohydrates, like all fruits. However, not too many prevent people with diabetes from appreciating them. When you need a snack, eat half a banana if you have diabetes. Additionally, they won’t ruin a low-carb diet. You receive about 27 grams from a medium one.
5. Faster Workout Recovery
According to research, bananas can also aid in your recovery after arduous exercise. According to one study, male cyclists who consumed a banana before pedalling went farther and recovered more quickly than those who only drank water.
Banana Nutrients
Bananas contain several vitamins and minerals.
- Vitamin B6: You can get about a quarter of your daily recommended intake of vitamin B6 from a medium banana. It promotes metabolism. Additionally, it has a significant impact on immune system health as well as brain and infant development during pregnancy.
- Vitamin C: Aim for between 75 and 90 milligrams per day. Therefore, your morning banana can get you off to a good start with about 10 milligrams. You can avoid harm from so-called free radicals by taking vitamin C. These are bodily responses to substances like pesticides, smoke from cigarettes, and food that may be harmful. Additionally, vitamin C improves the performance of your immune system and promotes faster healing.
- Magnesium: This mineral keeps your bones strong and aids in blood pressure and blood sugar regulation. You can get 8% of what you need from a banana.
- Vitamin A: This vitamin is good for your vision and might help protect you from cancer.