15 Health Benefits of Bananas
Which are the top health benefits of bananas? Bananas are among the most common and popular fruits in the world.
If you will ask an American or European to name a fruit, they will most likely answer banana, apple or orange. So which are the top health benefits of bananas?
A medium sized banana, weighting about 120 grams contains:
– 200 calories;
– 17% of the daily recommended intake of carbohydrates, with 28 grams of sugar;
– 23% of the daily recommended value of dietary fibers;
– 33% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C and 41% for Vitamin B6;
– 15% daily value of Magnesium, 23% of Potassium and 30% of Manganese.
All of these make bananas a well-proportioned and very nutritious snack to include in our diets. In this article we go through the 15 most important health benefits of bananas.
1. A great source of energy – at the top of health benefits of bananas
Bananas are great before starting your exercises. They contain three types of natural sugar: fructose, glucose and sucrose which are quickly turned into energy. Despite having the reputation of being a product that should be avoided during diets, it doesn’t really contain that much sugar and won’t raise your glycemic index too high. Some sportsmen tend to eat bananas during game breaks for instant energy.
2. Heart health
Bananas are rich in dietary fibers which help prevent coronary heart disease. Bananas are also rich in potassium but low in sodium so they are a perfect food for preventing high blood pressure. Potassium is involved in muscle contraction so it is very beneficial to the circulatory system, digestion or muscular movements.
3. Good for blood
In addition to potassium, bananas are also high in vitamin B6 which is essential in the manufacturing of antibodies and hemoglobin in your blood. Vitamin B6 is also important in maintaining proper blood sugar levels and the fibers help prevent diabetes.
4. Healthy nervous system
The potassium in bananas can also help prevent strokes. Studies have shown that regularly eating bananas can reduce the risk of death by strokes by 40% – this is one of the most important health benefits of bananas.
5. Healthy bones
Healthy bones is also one of the main health benefits of bananas. The potassium in bananas also reduces the risk of osteoporosis by reducing the loss of calcium. Bananas are also rich in a compound called fructooligosaccharide that encourages friendly bacteria to develop in the colon. This bacterium increases our body’s ability to absorb calcium and to prevent infections.
6. Kidney health
With the help of potassium that they contain, bananas also reduce the risk of kidney stones who are associated with calcium excretion in the urine. Bananas and other root vegetables are also high in antioxidants necessary in the detoxification of carcinogens. Studies have shown that eating vegetables and fruits, especially bananas, is a great method of protection against the development of kidney cancer or other diseases.
7. Relaxation and uplifting your mood
Vitamin B6, or tryptophan, plays another important role for the body: the making of serotonin which creates a stable mood and calms the brain. This brings benefits to fight depression or insomnia. The only way to get serotonin is through the intake of Vitamin B6 which can be found in bananas and other fruits or vegetables.
8. Anemia
Bananas are high in iron, which is important in the fight against anemia. Iron is also important in the making of hemoglobin in the body.
9. Good for the brain
By promoting a healthy circulatory system, bananas also increase your brainpower.
Approximately 20% of the body’s blood flow is pumped into the heart. The brain also requires a lot of energy and oxygen to function. Bananas help maintain a regular heartbeat, contribute to the making of hemoglobin which carries oxygen in the blood and are a great source of energy. So it is no surprise that studies have concluded that eating bananas regularly, improves brain’s performance.
10. Ulcers
Bananas have an anti-acid effect which calms the stomach and could ease stomach-burns. They are also helpful against ulcers by reducing acidity and irritation in the stomach. They are also important in the manufacturing of mucus cells in the stomach that protect it from gastric acid.
11. Smoking
Vitamins A, B6, B12 and C along with potassium and magnesium contained by bananas help the body in its recovery from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
12. Bowel movement
Preventing bowel movement is also amongst the top health benefits of bananas. The dietary fibers in bananas are a good way to healthy bowel movement.
13. Eyesight
Research has shown that regularly including bananas or other fruits in our diets can prevent the development of related macular degeneration, responsible for loss of vision for most elders.
14. Menstrual problems
Cooked banana flowers help in reliving the pain caused by menstruation. Bananas are also good for women during pregnancy for fighting against morning sickness, restoring blood glucose levels and for their calming effects.
15. Home remedies
For hangovers: put two vitamin-packed bananas in a blender along side some plain yogurt, add some honey to restore blood sugar levels to normal and you’ll be ready for your next party in no time! Some of you might think that this should be at the top of the list comprising health benefits of bananas 🙂
For mosquito bites: rubbing the inside of banana peels on mosquito bites will reduce the icing and swelling.
For warts: this time, rub the exterior of the banana peel against the wart to make them go away. For practical reasons, you can wrap the peel in tape or something else to keep it in place.
For gardens: banana peels are also a great fertilizer. Just bury them next to some plants and let nature take its course.
So, not only are bananas tasty and accessible, but they are also great for our health.
As you can see bananas are great. In addition, the melatonin and serotonin make bananas some of the best sleep stimulating substances. Also, the magnesium in bananas has a muscle relaxing effect.
Enjoy,
Completely your above benefits of my all time favorite fruit “Banana”. I’m eating from childhood and believe me till today,I’m strong, witty and energetic. I make it the part of my breakfast daily. Daylong it keep me fit and rejuvenated.Nice sharing…
I eat a banana every day for breakfast, a snack during the day, and usually one for a snack at night. I never made a conscious choice to do it, I just found myself eating more bananas. To try and be tactful, I must say that since I’ve been doing this as part of my daily diet, I’ve had perfect daily stools, I mean works of art in terms of girth, smoothness, and length. I have to push a little, but it is always a solid, gratifying stool, rather than a messy, soft dump, or the ungratifying droppage which feels like I haven’t fully emptied, as I have had in the past. I would highly recommend incorporating bananas as an integral part of your diet. It certainly helps in gratifying, healthy, daily bowel movements.
very interesting comment mike…:)
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Hi .. Thank you for sharing your informative and interesting content .. I am looking forward to see more content like this .. =)
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banana is a fruit that has a good variety of vitamins…
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Potassium is very important for the regulation of blood pressure. I always regulate my potassium intake at optimum levels. ‘:,;’
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Potassium is a crucial mineral for the functioning of the heart and tissues. This mineral aids muscle function and digestion, and it plays a vital role in nerve function. Additionally, potassium functions as an electrolyte in the body, meaning it conducts electricity. Some studies indicate that potassium may be instrumental in b’
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Banana is a lauded fruit for its multiple benefits for health and skin. Using banana for skin care is great for keeping skin healthy & glowing. Banana peel is wonderful treatment for many skin problems including acne. Thanks for sharing.
I did not know about benefits of banana. After read your article, I will try to eat banana at my breakfast. Thank you for sharing this article..