Categories: LifestyleWellness

Banana : The Health Powerhouse

Banana fruit (dessert banana) comes as soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and sucrose. Bananas are amongst the most popular fruits on earth when it comes to carbohydrates. There are many types of bananas available, which vary in colour, size and shape. The most common type is the yellow banana, which is green when unripe. Additionally, it is the storehouse of many health benefiting anti-oxidants, and essential minerals

Banana contains several essential nutrients such as Potassium, Vitamin C, etc, which serves as a health beneficiary item for you, curing problems like: proper digestion, high blood pressure, Asthma, etc.

And to widen up your knowledge a bit more, Chief Dietician, Rinki Kumari educates you about all the major categories of nutrients where banana pitches in and how they are beneficial for your health.

Carbohydrates

Body uses carbohydrates as a primary source of energy. So, eating a banana after a workout helps you to refuel your energy. A banana with breakfast will start day off your day right, giving you the energy to make it through to lunch without snacking.

Fibre

Bananas contain a fair amount of fibre. Dietary fibre can help you feel fuller longer and also keep your digestive processes running smoothly. Bananas act as a pre-biotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

Manganese

Bananas are a good source of manganese, with one medium banana providing you about 3 mg RDA of Mn in between1.8 and 2.3 mg of manganese daily. Manganese is necessary for stronger bone health and fast metabolism. Manganese and calcium are essential for proper development of your bone. It also prevents loss of calcium during an increase in potassium ion.

Vitamin C

As with many fruits, bananas contain a good amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C will boost your immune system, cell health and will also improve the absorption of other nutrients such as iron.

Potassium

Bananas are a great dietary source of potassium. Potassium is an essential mineral which maintains proper heart function and regulates blood pressure too.

Vitamin B-6

Surprisingly bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine.  That helps in synthesizing and breaking down amino acids and producing antibodies for a stronger immune response in your body. Body uses vitamin B-6 to grow new cells.

Improves Mood and Reduces Stress

Bananas are a good source of Amino Acid Tryptophan, which body converts into serotonin. Proper serotonin consumption helps you to improve your mood, reduce stress and enhance general outlook and happiness levels. It also helps regulate sleep patterns.

Cure for Ulcers & Heartburn

Bananas are a known cure for heartburn. They help balance stomach’s pH and enhance the protective mucus layer, relieving pain. The fibre content also moves food through digestive tract faster – preventing reflux

Editor

Share
Published by
Editor