{"id":1260,"date":"2017-11-16T07:05:20","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T07:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1260"},"modified":"2021-03-15T20:29:53","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T20:29:53","slug":"15-facts-banana-nutrition-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-facts-banana-nutrition-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Facts About Banana Nutrition and Its Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The humble banana is an unassuming fruit. It\u2019s always been there and while it has always been reliable, it\u2019s rarely in fashion either.<\/p>\n

You have your kales, your avocados, your berries. These are some of the most \u2018trendy\u2019 super foods in town right now and it seems like everyone is talking about them.<\/p>\n

But you don\u2019t need to travel to the Himalayas in order to get health benefits (while you\u2019re there though, check out the cordyceps mushroom). You can actually get a ton of amazing health benefits from those fruits that are sitting at home right now in your fruit bowl.<\/p>\n

The banana is one of the best examples of this and is one of the things that everyone should consider getting more of. It\u2019s convenient, it\u2019s very tasty and as we\u2019re about to see, it actually comes packed with a massive variety of different health benefits.<\/p>\n

So, if you want to fall back in love with the humble banana, read on and we\u2019ll take a look at some of the very best reasons that you should make it a part of your healthy routine once again.<\/p>\n

1. Potassium<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start with what the banana is best known for: potassium<\/a>.,<\/p>\n

Bananas are high in the electrolyte potassium, which is crucial for sending nerve signals around the body. We lose potassium when we sweat and this is what can lead to us seizing up and cramping.<\/p>\n

Bananas are crucial for those that run for that reason and can be ideal for combating cramps over long distances. What\u2019s more, is that bananas are also ideal for eating just before bed if you\u2019re someone who often wakes in the night with your foot or leg cramping up.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Fiber<\/h3>\n

Did you know that bananas are a great source of fiber<\/a>? That can have numerous positive effects on the body. Fiber is food that doesn\u2019t get broken down when it is digested and soluble fiber is the kind that makes its way into the blood stream.<\/p>\n

When you eat this kind of fiber, it helps to sweep through your blood vessels and thereby prevent the build up of fatty deposits. At the same time, it will also head through your bowels and help to remove clogged channels \u2013 thereby improving your bowel movements too.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n

Bananas are actually excellent for those suffering with high blood pressure. The first reason for this is that high potassium, which is highly recommended for those with hypertension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

High blood pressure diets are described as \u2018DASH\u2019 and they recommend that you consume more potassium, more calcium and more magnesium \u2013 all while reducing your intake of sodium.<\/p>\n

Well, seeing as how bananas are high in potassium (among the highest sources) and very low in sodium \u2013 that makes them pretty much ideal!<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Heart Health<\/h3>\n

What\u2019s good for your blood pressure is good for your heart, so bananas are also great for anyone that has a history of heart disease in their family, or that has maybe suffered with a heart attack or stroke<\/a> themselves.<\/p>\n

Bananas are not only high in fiber but they\u2019re also high in anti-inflammatory properties.<\/p>\n

Inflammation is actually one of the biggest causes of heart disease and one of the biggest causes of high blood pressure, so once again \u2013 it makes an ideal option for improving your overall cardiovascular health.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. Inflammation<\/h3>\n

Speaking of which, that really deserves its own entry! Inflammation<\/a> is something we often associate with either an injury, or an inflammatory condition such as arthritis. In fact though, inflammation can affect us without us even being aware of any physical change.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because pro-inflammatory cytokines will travel around the body and cause damage with whatever they come in contact with. Very recent studies suggest that these are somewhat responsible for both feelings of brain fog (making us groggy and slow) as well as feelings of depression.<\/p>\n

While bananas won\u2019t definitely cure depression or anything like that, they can certainly be beneficial for your overall health and mood and that is just one more compelling reason to eat more of them!<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Mood<\/h3>\n

There are other ways that bananas boost moods too. For one, eating a banana will help to release tryptophan in the body. Tryptophan is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier where it is turned into hydroxy tryptophan and then serotonin<\/a>. This is the \u2018feel good\u2019 hormone and that means that it is useful for helping to boost your mood \u2013 and even combat pain as it happens.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the vitamin C content in bananas also helps to elevate the mood by also converting into serotonin. Put these things together and add the mood boost you get from consuming any carb, and you have a great way to pick up your mood.<\/p>\n

And we\u2019ve already seen that bananas help to fight inflammation, which might have a second-hand effect of boosting the mood too!<\/p>\n

\"\"7. Energy<\/h3>\n

Bananas are one of the most convenient and healthy forms of carb available. Carbohydrates<\/a> get something of a bad rap these days and are blamed for pretty much everything. Fact is though, we need carbs in our diet just like we need every other food group: they aren\u2019t inherently \u2018bad\u2019, only when we eat them in higher quantities.<\/p>\n

Bananas will give you a healthy little hit of carbs which will pick you up and boost your mood. This makes them great for runners, or for avoiding that devastating 4pm slump.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more though, is that bananas also contain vitamin B6 \u2013 this is a vitamin that helps the body make more use of energy from carbs. So bananas give you the carbs and the means to use them.<\/p>\n

Throw in the potassium and bananas are pretty much a runner\u2019s best friend!<\/p>\n

\"\"8. Diabetes<\/h3>\n

Bananas might be a useful fruit to have on hand for those suffering from diabetes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This is partly because they have been shown to help improve insulin sensitivity and that is partly thanks to the vitamin B6 content. In other words, being better able to utilize the sugar in your blood, means that large amounts of damaging sugar are less likely to build up (that follows, right?).<\/p>\n

At the same time, bananas also offer that convenient, measured and healthy does of sugar that can help you to manage low blood sugar if you have had too much insulin.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. Convenience<\/h3>\n

Bananas<\/a> are highly convenient and versatile. Now, that may not seem very much like a health benefit but the reality is that for any diet to be effective, you need to be able to stick to it. This is what GPs and nutritionists refer to as \u2018adherence\u2019 and it\u2019s perhaps the single most important aspect of any diet. If you can\u2019t stick at it, it\u2019s not going to work!<\/p>\n

Bananas are great because they\u2019re tasty, easy to grab when you\u2019re in a hurry, non-messy and also great when added to a smoothy as a \u2018base\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Protein<\/h3>\n

While bananas aren\u2019t going to be giving eggs and chicken<\/a> a run for their money among bodybuilders any time soon, it\u2019s worth noting that they do contain some protein \u2013 so that\u2019s a nice added bonus.<\/p>\n

Protein is the macronutrient that the body uses in order to build muscle. This gets broken down into amino acids and these are in turn what the body uses in order to create muscle tissue, flesh, connective tissue and more.<\/p>\n

\"\"11. Vitamin C<\/h3>\n

Bananas are very high in vitamin C<\/a>. This is important, because vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants available. The body uses this in order to counteract the effects of free radicals which can bombad our cells and cause damage otherwise.<\/p>\n

Vitamin C is also responsible for increasing serotonin and for strengthening our immune system in general. That means it can help us to combat bacteria, viruses and illnesse. This once more makes bananas somewhat ideal for boost your general mood and energy \u2013 as they can help to provent underlying disease.<\/p>\n

\"\"12. Low Calorie<\/h3>\n

Bananas might be a source of carbs, but they\u2019re not going to cause you to suddenly bloat up and add inches to your waistline! Thankfully, bananas only contain around 110 calories per 30 grams (a portion) and that means that you can eat a few without worrying.<\/p>\n

The easiest way to lose weight is to monitor your intake of calories<\/a> and make sure that you burn more than you consume.<\/p>\n

\"\"13. No Fat, No Salt<\/h3>\n

The low calorie nature of bananas makes them a good option for anyone on a strict diet. But the benefits continue! Bananas are also low in fat (as in they contain none) and they also don\u2019t pack any salt.<\/p>\n

That zero salt thing is partly what makes bananas so great for high blood pressure. The combo of minerals, along with low sodium and an amply supply of fiber make them an ideal fit.
\nAt the same time, bananas being low in fat also means they won\u2019t contribute to the bad kind of cholesterol<\/a> and they\u2019re safe for low-fat dieters.<\/p>\n

\"\"14. Digestion<\/h3>\n

Bananas<\/a> are a great choice for digestion \u2013 as well as bowel movement issues.<\/p>\n

Bananas help with digestion because they are soft and easy to swallow \u2013 this means that they certainly won\u2019t worsen your digestion. At the same time, bananas are also naturally antacid.<\/p>\n

This means they are alkaline and therefore a good choice for neutralizing the negative effects of very acidic foods or of acid caused by your stomach\u2019s own juices.<\/p>\n

\"\"15. Brain Function<\/h3>\n

Bananas can boost brain function and help you to be more alert, awake and creative. This is partly thanks to the B6 and carbohydrate<\/a> combination. Because these both give you more energy, you can benefit from \u2018cognitive metabolic enhancement\u2019 and thereby have more brain power thanks to the increased blood flow to the brain.<\/p>\n

B6 is also used to make key neurotransmitters, as are some of the other minerals contained in bananas. Add to that the fact that they fight inflammation and can therefore combat brain fog and you have a great option for boosting mental performance and for getting through that 4pm slump when you start to feel low on inspiration and not your smartest any more!<\/p>\n\r\n

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