6 reasons why you should be going bananas

Bananas, as we know, are the cheapest and the quickest means of energy snack. Picnic baskets, school lunch boxes, or travelling snack boxes are all likely to include at least one banana packed. But we want to give you undeniably foolproof reasons why you should be going bananas over bananas!

Bananas are indeed a good source of energy, they are easily available, and they’re liked by all! Besides all this, they are rich in nutritional value and are a rich source of all the minerals and vitamins that you may ideally require to have good health. Also, bananas are fat, cholesterol and sodium free – from lowering the risks of cancer to reducing hypertension, and many other health benefits, adding a banana in our daily diet is nothing but beneficial.

This potassium-rich and fibre-rich fruit is high in magnesium, vitamin B6, and other mineral and vitamin sources which we shall explore below.

A medium sized banana (125 gm) is of the following nutritional value:

• Dietary Fibre – 3g
• Folate – 25.0 mcg
• Vitamin A – 81 IU
• Iron – 0.3 mg
• Protein – 1 g
• Magnesium – 34 mg
• Vitamin B6 – 0.5 mg
• Manganese – 0.3 mg
• Vitamin C – 9 mg
• Potassium – 450 mg
• Riboflavin – 0 .1 mg
• Niacin – 0.8 mg

6 reasons why you should be going bananas over bananas

Providing approximately 110 calories per serving, 30 gm of carbohydrate, bananas are enriching healthy fruits that bestow good health free from major health complications.

Having listed the nutritional value of this amazing fruit, let’s explore the health benefits we can derive by including them in our daily diet.

Healthy heart and bone

As we’ve seen above, a medium sized banana contains 450 mg of potassium which is a good source that is required to maintain a healthy heart. High potassium and low sodium in bananas help regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension.

Eventually, probability of suffering from other health complications such as stroke and kidney diseases is further reduced. Furthermore, potassium helps to reduce calcium excretion, which is how the potassium content in this fruit helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Also, bananas are rich in fructo-oligosaccharides that enhance the body’s ability to absorb calcium and in turn help to maintain strong and healthy bones.

Reduced risk of cancer

Bananas are rich in vitamin C that can help combat the formation of free radicals. Bananas are also high in antioxidant phenolic compounds that can help reduce the risk of developing cancer. Moreover, the high fibre content in bananas aid in reducing the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Encouraging and ensuring your children consume bananas in the first few years of life can reduce the risk of childhood leukaemia.

Healthy bowel movement

Bananas are rich in fibre and help to maintain a healthy bowel movement. They can relieve you from symptoms of constipation. Besides being high in potassium, they can also replenish for the potassium levels lost during bouts of diarrhoea. They also contain pro-tease inhibitors that can prevent the specific bacteria in the stomach from causing ulcers.

Energy booster and aids in weight loss

Did you know that one banana can provide about 10 percent of your daily fibre requirement? Bananas are filling and cuts down your crave for over-eating. Besides, bananas also sustain blood glucose levels during workouts. All this helps to manage your weight efficiently.

Moreover, bananas are natural energy boosters and with this kind of energy you’re all the more motivated to do workouts regularly and lose weight gradually.

Helps cure skin and vision concerns

The mineral and vitamins in bananas can reduce your skin problems. Psoriasis and acne can be reduced to certain extent.

Bananas contain significant amount of Vitamin A that can help reduce night blindness and other vision problems.

Manage stress levels

Bananas are a good source of the amino acid ‘tryptophan’ that is converted into serotonin which is a mood-elevating, brain neurotransmitter. With increased levels of serotonin in blood your overall mood and stress levels are well managed. Magnesium and vitamin B6 in bananas help you to relax and sleep well.

In case you still need more reasons why you should be going bananas, the above 6 are just the tip of an iceberg of health benefits of this amazing fruit. Bananas can also reduce the risks of asthma and diabetes type II.

However, bananas are to be consumed in moderate amounts for those on beta blockers used to treat heart concerns. Beta blockers increase the level of potassium and doubled up with consumption of bananas can increase levels of potassium in blood.

Visit Gympik.com to seek addresses and other details of expert nutritionists and subscribe to an online diet plan and make no more mistakes with your diet and nutritional intake. Paustica Diet Clinic in Wilson Garden, Eaternity Consulting in Jayanagar 9th Block, Indian Sujok Foundation in Langford Road, Shape Up in Basavanagudi, and Sama Wellness Clinic in JP Nagar 2nd Phase are some of the centres in Bangalore that offer diet and nutritional counselling. Go bananas!