7 The Benefits of Bananas for Body Health
Bananas are excellent for the digestive system, as they can treat diarrhea and maintain digestive health. Bananas can also improve muscle function and lower high blood sugar. These benefits are due to their potassium, vitamin C, and magnesium content. You can eat a maximum of two bananas per day to meet your daily nutritional needs.
Nutritional Content of Bananas
In 100 grams, or a medium-sized banana, the nutritional content includes:
89 kcal of calories
75% water
1.1 grams of protein
22.8 grams of carbohydrates
12.2 grams of natural sugars
2.6 grams of fiber
0.3 grams of fat
Furthermore, bananas also contain important nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6, which can maintain optimal body health. Scientifically, bananas are known as Musa acuminata.
- Good for Digestive Health
Bananas are a great source of fiber. Unripe bananas contain resistant starch, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic. This content ferments and becomes food for the good bacteria in your gut.
Resistant starch can make you feel fuller, making it beneficial for weight loss, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Furthermore, pectin, a fiber found in both ripe and unripe bananas, can also help prevent constipation and soften stools.
2 Maintaining Heart Health
Regularly eating bananas can reduce the risk of heart disease, such as irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and coronary heart disease. This is because bananas are rich in potassium, which can improve heart health and normal blood pressure.
One medium banana contains 0.4 grams of potassium and flavonoid antioxidants. Research shows that consuming 1.3-1.4 grams of potassium can reduce the risk of heart disease by 26 percent.
3 Lowering Blood Sugar Levels
Another benefit of bananas is lowering blood sugar levels. This benefit comes from their fiber content, which can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Various studies have shown that consuming foods high in fiber can significantly lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. You can eat this fruit regularly to get the maximum benefits
4 Weight Management
Weight management is one of the benefits of eating bananas regularly. Bananas are rich in fiber, which plays a crucial role in accelerating weight loss and keeping you feeling fuller for longer.
A medium-sized ripe banana contains 3 grams of fiber, which is about 10 percent of the daily requirement. Most of the fiber in bananas is soluble.
5 Reducing the Risk of Kidney Stones
Bananas are rich in potassium. One medium banana contains 422 milligrams of potassium, which helps maintain healthy body functions.
Potassium can reduce the risk of kidney stones as you age. Generally, healthy kidneys ensure optimal potassium levels in the body. Potassium can even reduce the effects of sodium on blood pressure.
6 Preventing Cancer
Research has shown that lectins, or proteins in bananas, can prevent the growth of cancer cells, such as leukemia. Lectins act as antioxidants, protecting body cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Experts believe that bananas and orange juice lower the risk of leukemia. Both fruits contain vitamin C and antioxidant properties that are beneficial for health.
7 Improving Mood
Bananas are beneficial for women because they can improve mood. This fruit contains tryptophan, an amino acid that can support serotonin production in the body.
Besides bananas, tryptophan is found in various other foods, such as meat, milk, fruit, and grains. Foods with a high glycemic index also provide tryptophan, which is beneficial for bodily functions
