Banana – The Common Man’s Fruit!
Banana is considered to be the common mans fruit but, did you know that there are so many hidden benefits to it? Here are the health benefits of banana that you didn’t know about!
Bananas contain in them many minerals and vitamins which are highly important and essential for our body and also the mind, directly or indirectly. They also contain a good amount of fiber, as well as several intoxicants.
Some of the minerals and vitamins in medium sized bananas are as follows:
- Potassium: 9% of the RDI.
- Vitamin B6: 33% of the RDI.
- Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI.
- Magnesium: 8% of the RDI.
- Copper: 10% of the RDI.
- Manganese: 14% of the RDI.
- Net carbs: 24 grams.
- Fiber: 3.1 grams.
- Protein: 1.3 grams.
- Fat: 0.4 grams.
A banana contains only about 105 calories and almost no fat, with a very little amount of proteins. It is also rich in nutrients with an exclusive inclusion of water and carbs.
Green bananas are considered to be unripe as a result of which they store starch and resistant starch; but as the banana ripens (yellow banana), this starch is turned into sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose).
Health Benefits Of Banana
1. Regulate Sugar Levels
Bananas contain nutrients that help regulate blood sugar levels after meals.
2. Protect Against Colon Cancer
Bananas contain mainly two types of fiber:
- Pectin: Decreases as the banana ripens
- Resistant Starch: Found in unripe bananas.
These fibers feed the friendly gut bacteria and help protect against colon cancer.
3. Weight Loss
Since bananas are low in calories and high in nutrients and fiber, they may reduce one’s appetite while at the same time keeping you healthy. As a result, eating a banana could result in healthy weight loss.
4. Good for the Heart
Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium which are important for the good health of heart.
5. Insulin Sensitivity
Since bananas are rich in insulin, they are may improve insulin sensitivity. However, more research is being done in this area.
6. Reduce Kidney Disease
The risk of kidney diseases can be reduced by 50% if banana is eaten several times in a week.
7. Removes Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps produced due to exercise can be reduced by having bananas. Also, they provide excellent fuel for endurance exercise.
8. Overcome Depression
Have you always wondered what might be an easy solution to overcome depression? Bananas help overcome depression which is caused by high levels of tryptophan by converting it into serotonin.
9. Increases Calcium
Although urination causes loss in some amount of calcium, this could be compensated with banana, which contains a good amount of calcium.
10. Reduce PMS Symptoms
PMS symptoms can be reduced and also, good mood could be achieved by having a banana.
11. Relieve Anemia
Furthermore, due to the iron in banana, one could fight anemia by simply eating a banana a day!
12. Prevent Constipation
For the most part, constipation could be avoided with the help of a banana.
13. Cure Fever
Bananas help keep the body temperature low, so fevers could be cured with its help.
Fun Tip
While eating a banana may not be all that fun, drinking a smoothie could be!
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
Now that you have all the ingredients you need for a simple banana smoothie that you can make at home, all you have to now do is grind the banana along with sugar, milk and water. Mix it well and then enjoy this delicious drink!
On the whole, banana is probably one of the most enriching fruits that anyone could ever eat! So, don’t be afraid to Go Bananas! now that you know the health benefits of banana!