Benefits of Bananas for good health
- Banana
- 16 Aug 2023
Overview
About Banana
A Banana is an elongated edible nutritious fruit produced by a flowering plant in the genus Musa. The banana plant is indigenous to Southeast Asia and grown globally in warmer parts. The bananas exist in varying types and differ in size and shape. Bananas are usually green or yellow, with some varieties being red.
Key facts of banana
- Bananas are cheap and affordable, unlike other fruits
- Bananas are easy to digest, and their sweet taste makes them a favorite food for people of all ages
- Bananas are grown in more than a hundred countries with a tropical climate
- Bananas are among the most traded and consumed food globally
- In the United States, people consume more bananas compared to other fruits 1Overview| Researched based study from Sciencedirect.com ,2Overview| Researched based study from Usda.gov
Nutrition
Nutrition in Banana
A medium-sized 100grams banana consists of the following nutrients
- Calories-89
- Water-75%
- Carbohydrate-22.8 gms(grams)
- Protein-1.1 gms
- Sugar-12.2 gms
- Fat-0.3 gms
- Fiber-2.6 gms
Vitamins and minerals in banana
Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B6 helps in brain development
- It boosts the immune system
Vitamin C
- Vitamin C protects the body from harmful free radicals, preventing cell damage.
- It also enhances the immune response in our body
Vitamin A
- Vitamin A is good for our eyesight
- It helps the normal functioning of body organs
Potassium
- Potassium lowers the blood pressure maintains the heart health
Magnesium
- It regulates blood sugar and blood pressure
- It helps maintain healthy bones 3Nutrition| Researched based study from Sciencedirect.com
Bioactive compounds in banana
Catechin
- Catechin is a polyphenol compound having antioxidant properties
- It protects the body against cell damage
- It reduces the risk of heart diseases
Dopamine
- Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain.
- Dopamine in bananas acts as an antioxidant in the body 4Nutrition| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Benefits
Benefits of Banana
The benefits of banana are as follows:
- Supports the digestive health
- Improves the blood sugar
- Helps with weight loss
- Supports heart health
- Helps prevent oxidative stress
- Keeps the stomach full
- Improves insulin sensitivity when unripe
- Improves kidney health
- Reduces post-exercise muscle cramps
Supports the digestive health
- Unripe green bananas contain pectin and resistant starch, they act as dietary fiber in the body
- They supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, soften stool, and prevents constipation 7Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Improves the blood sugar
- Unripe bananas contain resistant starch that the body cannot digest. Resistant starch regulates the sugar levels after meals
- It also regulates hunger by slowing the digestion 8Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov Thus, unripe bananas do not cause a significant increase in sugar levels despite their high carbohydrate content.
Helps with weight loss
- Bananas have very few calories.
- Resistant starch in unripe bananas keeps the stomach full and reduces appetite 9Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Supports heart health
- Bananas contain potassium and flavonoids in high amount
- It maintains the blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart diseases 10Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Prevents oxidative stress
- Bananas contain several types of antioxidants, such as amines and flavonoid.
- It nullifies the free radicals in the body and prevents cell damage
- It prevents the body from chronic diseases 11Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Keeps the stomach full
- Bananas contain soluble fibers that add bulk to the digestive system
- It slow downs the digestion and reduces hunger 12Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Improves insulin sensitivity when unripe
- Unripe bananas contain resistant starch
- It makes the body more responsive to sugar-regulating hormone
- It reduces the risk of diabetes 13Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
However, more research is warranted to prove the effect of bananas on insulin sensitivity.
Improves kidney health
- Bananas contains potassium. It regulates the blood pressure and slows the progression of kidney disease
- However, people with kidney malfunction must limit the intake of bananas to restrict potassium intake 14Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Reduces post-exercise muscle cramps
- Bananas contain easily digested carbohydrates such as potassium, mineral, and magnesium that act as electrolytes in the body.
- Exercise causes loss of electrolytes through sweat, and eating bananas help recover the lost electrolytes
- It also helps decrease the muscle pain 15Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Benefits of bananas for men
Helps in muscle building
- Banana contains tryptophan amino acid that helps produce and maintain muscle tissues 18Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Boosts libido
- Banana is rich in bromelain, potassium, and vitamin B. It helps the production of testosterone hormone in males
- Magnesium and manganese in banana improves the prostate health
- High carbohydrate in banana helps increase energy levels and improves blood circulation in the male reproductive organ.
Enhances mood
- Bananas contain tryptophan amino acid and vitamin B6, which help produce the serotonin hormone.
- Serotonin is a hormone that boosts our mood 19Benefits| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Benefits of bananas for women
- It improves the skin health
- It supports weight loss as it is low in calories
- It keeps the stomach full and makes one feel less hungry
- It satisfies the taste and keeps one healthy
Precautions
Who should not consume Banana
People allergic to bananas or banana products
- Some people may experience hives, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing while eating too many bananas.
- If such a reaction happens, one should immediately contact a healthcare professional, as severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening.
People with migraine headaches
- In some cases, eating too many bananas might trigger migraine headaches.
People on heart medication
- People with heart disease are prescribed beta–blocker medication to raise the potassium in the blood.
- Bananas also contain potassium. So eating too many might lead to excess potassium in the body, leading to fatigue, lightheadedness, and abnormal heartbeat.
People with kidney disease
- People with kidney problems should limit banana consumption. The kidneys in such patients cannot remove excess potassium in the body, which can sometimes be fatal 16Precautions| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Are bananas safe for diabetes patients?
A medium banana contains 29 grams of carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are in the form of starch, sugar, and fiber 5Precautions| Researched based study from Usda.gov
- Green bananas contain resistant starch. Resistant starches are long-chain glucose that is hard to digest in the upper digestive tract and thus won’t cause a rise in the sugar level.
- Yellow bananas contain more sugar and less amount of resistant starch. Thus, yellow bananas might cause the blood sugar level to rise in diabetic patients.
Buying instructions
- Before buying, one should always check the product labels to ensure they do not contain added fat, salt, or sugar.
Consumption
What is the right way of eating a Banana?
In daily diet
- There is no specific recommendation about the banana consumption per day however, taking one to two bananas is appropriate for most people with no health issues.
Bananas on an empty stomach
- Although bananas contain abundant fiber, potassium, and magnesium, the fruit is acidic at the same time.
- Consuming acidic food on an empty stomach can cause digestive issues. So, one must always avoid eating it on an empty stomach.
Tips for serving and eating bananas
- Mashing ripe bananas and adding them to baked items
- Adding sliced bananas to the morning breakfast cereal to make it nutritious
- Adding mashed bananas for natural sweetening to cookies and cakes
- Adding bananas to a fruit smoothie
- Taking a banana to the workplace or school to eat as a snack.
Other banana products
Some of the banana products available in groceries are as follows
- Banana chips
- Banana powder
- Plantain Chips
Plantain belongs to the banana family and needs to be cooked before eating. It is popular in Central America 17Consumption| Researched based study from Sciencedirect.com
Takeaway
Key Takeaways
- Banana is a popular nutritious food that most people love.
- Bananas can satisfy hunger and keep one healthy.
- Bananas are readily available and can be used in a variety of foods.
- Although banana has many potential health benefits, one must always keep in mind that it might not be suitable for everyone.
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References
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Science Direct
Banana - an overview | Overview
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Fruit choices data | Overview
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Science Direct
Nutritional and Biochemical Composition of Banana (Musa spp.) Cultivars | Nutrition
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National Library of Medicine
High content of dopamine, a strong antioxidant, in Cavendish banana | Nutrition
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Banana , raw | Precautions
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Health Benefits of Green Banana Consumption: A Systematic Review | Benefits
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Digestion of the carbohydrates of banana (Musa paradisiaca sapientum) in the human small intestine | Benefits
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Potassium intake, stroke, and cardiovascular disease a meta-analysis of prospective studies | Benefits
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Functional foods to promote weight loss and satiety | Benefits
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Starch digestibility and glycemic index of cookies partially substituted with unripe banana flour | Benefits
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Physiological mechanisms determining eccrine sweat composition | Benefits
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National Library of Medicine
Dietary trigger factors of migraine and tension-type headache in a South East Asian country | Precautions
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Science Direct
Banana Chips - an overview | Consumption
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National Library of Medicine
Physiological mechanisms determining eccrine sweat composition | Benefits
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National Library of Medicine
How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs | Benefits