Benefits of Banana
I’ve always been a proponent of apple eating, and I now consider apples to be nature’s most complete source of energy, which is jam-packed with the essential nutrients that are necessary for the body to function. Besides, bananas are a fantastic, pre-packaged snack given by mother nature, with more potassium than carbs, to facilitate your body’s enzyme work and glucose combustion as well as being a strong source of energy for different body processes.
Being a dietitian, based on my observation, I claim that bananas are an excellent pick for a post-exercise snack, especially when they are consumed one hour after the initiation of the training. By the way, it is due to the fact that bananas easily transfer glucose to your muscle cells via the bloodstream, which then, in turn, becomes the fuel for your workout. Additionally, I have observed that bananas are a super post-workout option. The sugars that are naturally found in bananas play a big role in the rebuilding of your muscle glycogen (energy storage) while the high potassium content of them facilitates the process of blood sugar being converted into glucose more quickly.
Worldwide Eco-Anxiety and Nutritional Data
It is captivating to see that bananas grow in 107 pretty countries in the world, which makes them positioned as the fourth major food crop in terms of price. I came across the information saying that Americans eat more bananas than apples and oranges, which is the fact indicating the fruit’s popularity and availability.
Considering the fact that bananas are highly consumed all over the world, many people constantly ask questions about their toxicology and health benefits. Banana is just like any other fruit. The more you use it, the more it will help you. Hence, you shouldn’t be worried about its effect on your health. On the other hand, bananas are rich in potassium and they are the most potassium-rich superfoods. This is poor news, considering that most Americans do not get enough potassium in their daily diet.
Potassium and Other Essential Nutrients
The low potassium consumption of the general public of America is mostly due to the lack of four to five servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day. From all my findings and practical know-how, I can stress out that potassium is the key to the success of our muscles, nerves, and brain. It has an essential part in maintaining a healthy heartbeat, controlling blood pressure, facilitating muscle growth, and preventing muscle spasms.
It is recommended that the adult population gets at least 4700 milligrams of potassium daily. Being a potash king, bananas are also rich in other essential vitamins, such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese, which are all very important for the maintenance of good health and general well-being.
Glycemic Index & Resistant Starch
So, contrary to what we might have heard, bananas actually have a low glycemic index. My research has shown that the average glycemic index of a banana is 51, while the figure goes even lower for greener bananas. It is important to remember that foods with a glycemic index of 55 or less are considered low glycemic index foods, which makes bananas such an ideal choice for those dealing with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
One very interesting angle of banana consumption, which I am touching upon intensively in my work, is the presence of resistant starch in freshly plucked or green bananas. Resistant starch is a type of carbohydrate that your body cannot metabolize, which means that fewer carbohydrates and calories get absorbed. Furthermore, it acts as a prebiotic, as a result of which more of the good bacteria are found in the digestive system. My investigation has also shown that resistant starch may stand as a potential threat to the blood cholesterol level lowering which may be seen as one more advantage to the user.
Various Benefits of Bananas
The earlier part of my career has seen me encounter lots of people who actually saw the good effects of taking bananas in their diet. Not only they contain potassium, but they are also delicious as well. Known scientifically under the name of Musa, bananas represent a food diversity that can be enjoyed in many ways, i.e., fried, raw, frozen, etc Among the researched benefits of bananas that I noticed, some remarkable ones include the following ones:
1. Energy Source
Based on my knowledge and experience, bananas play the role of energy providers and not just appetite supressors. Among the sports lovers and athletes, I have observed the cases of using bananas as they are supposed to. Two bananas consumed right before a hard workout will not only give you a significant energy boost but also help maintain blood sugar level, hence, enhancing the overall performance.
2. Stomach Ulcer Prevention and Treatment
As stated before, bananas are one of the fruits that can make you feel full for a longer time. My research tells me that consistent banana intake can protect from stomach ulcers. This is done by bananas that gradually produce a detoxifying mucus layer in the stomach, making the HCL acid less harmful to it. Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitor that can help to kill the stomach bacteria, which causes various digestive problems.
3. Hangover Remedy
In my practice of counseling clients on nutrition, I’ve noticed that bananas have proven to be an effective way to get rid of a hangover. In the same way as wine is often used to provide some comfort after a long night of partying, bananas are a viable option as well. I usually suggest the patient to blend several bananas with ice, berries, and either coconut or cow’s milk to create a delicious and soothing hangover treatment.
4. Anticancer Activity
By reviewing recent animal studies, I am glad to announce the emergence of the breakthrough drug, namely the bananas which helped to decrease the tumor load in a significant number of rats thus reducing mortality also. Those bananas had a high concentration of ‘tumor necrosis factor-a,’ a chemical known to increase the number of white blood cells in the body. This counters infections and cancerous growth and is thought to be possibly beneficial in humans, though it requires more research to confirm its effects in humans.
5. Healthy Digestion
As a dietitian, I emphasize the importance of fiber-rich foods in a diet to get rid of bowel problems all the time. The fiber content in bananas makes them one of the most popular natural foods in America, contributing 12% of the daily fiber requirements. This fiber is responsible for a daily stooling process in the body that is why it is called such and therefore the colon is generally functional.
6. Reduced Blood Pressure
A scientific fact that the combination of potassium and magnesium in bananas may be a solution for high blood pressure, which is one of the major risk factors for many cardiovascular diseases. Mainly, for my patients, I urge them to eat bananas along with their healthy diet consumed as alternatives to chemical drugs.
7. Heart Protection
Besides the new drug that is discovered for controlling the blood pressure levels, frequent consumption of bananas can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and the related disorders. Maybe this is the main reason why I find myself constantly in need of making people my followers in line with the banana propaganda in heart health.
8. Bone Health
Among the significant minerals and the presence of potassium, the findings of my study confirmed that it is engaged in protecting from bone diseases. What is more, one of the most important nutrients in bananas is magnesium which is very crucial during the bone formation process and that is why it is important for the overall skeleton.
9. Mental Clarity
Bananas’ vitamin B6 could be the key to preventing or lowering cognitive decline and mood-related symptoms of PMS. As a person who has studied nutrition’s effects on mental health, this particular benefit of banana that I have learned about is quite intriguing.
Nutritional Information
Being integrators of all the above nutritional values, bananas are a superfood. The bananas are a magnificent source of dietary fiber, which is necessary for a healthy gut and, on daily ration, it gives 12% of your daily need.
- 105 calories
- 27g carbohydrates
- 1g protein
- 1g total fat
- 0g saturated fat
- 3g fiber
- 14g sugar
- 422mg potassium (12% DV)
- 32mg magnesium (8% DV)
- 10.3mg vitamin C (17% DV)
- 0.433mg vitamin B6 (20% DV)
All things considered, finally I am able to report that – as a result of a great deal of research and experience with my patrons – bananas really prove to be the solution to a number of health problems. Even if many people associate them with the amounts of calories and carbs they are made up of, this fruit is by far the best one to stay healthy. The one that includes all the basic nutrients is a banana that can be a very useful injection to any diet and I am for full participation in such tropic flora every single day.