Health Benefits Of Banana :9 Good Reasons To Eat A Banana Today
Health Benefits Of Banana : What goodness is in a banana? Other than being rich in vitamin B6, bananas are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber and manganese. What do these mean for your health? The Dietetics Department at Tiong Bahru Community Health Centre explains.
Ever wondered what goodness is in a banana? Other than being rich in vitamin B6, bananas are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber and manganese. Bananas are also fat-free, cholesterol-free and virtually sodium-free. So what do these mean for your health?
1. Contain Many Important Nutrients
Bananas are among the world’s most popular fruits. Native to Southeast Asia, they are now grown in many warm parts of the world. Bananas vary in color, size and shape.
Bananas contain a fair amount of fiber, as well as several antioxidants. One medium-sized banana (118 grams) also boasts.
- Vitamin B6: 33% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 8% of the RDI
- Copper: 10% of the RDI
- Potassium: 9% of the RDI
- Net carbs: 24 grams
- Fiber: 3.1 grams
- Protein: 1.3 grams
2. Best fruit sources of vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 from bananas is easily absorbed by your body and a medium-sized banana can provide about a quarter of your daily vitamin B6 needs. It’s is also good for pregnant women as it helps meet their baby’s development needs.
Vitamin B6 helps your body:
produce red blood cells,
metabolise carbohydrates and fats, turning them into energy,
metabolise amino acids,
remove unwanted chemicals from your liver and kidneys, and
maintain a healthy nervous system.
3. Depression and mood
Bananas can be helpful in overcoming depression “due to high levels of tryptophan, which the body converts to serotonin, the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter,” Flores said. Plus, vitamin B6 can help you sleep well, and magnesium helps to relax muscles. Additionally, the tryptophan in bananas is well known for its sleep-inducing properties.
4. Improve Digestive Health
A medium banana will provide about 10-12% of your daily fiber needs. Dietary fiber has been linked to many health benefits, including improved digestion. Resistant starch escapes digestion and ends up in your large intestine, where it becomes food for the beneficial bacteria in your gut
Bananas contain two main types of fiber:
- Pectin: Decreases as the banana ripens.
- Resistant starch: Found in unripe bananas.
5. Better Heart Health
Because they are rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. Potassium is a mineral that is essential for heart health — especially blood pressure control.
This also helps the body maintain a regular heartbeat, lower blood pressure and a proper balance of water in the body, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A potassium-rich diet can help lower blood pressure, and people who eat plenty of potassium have up to a 27% lower risk of heart disease.
6. Energy Booster
Bananas are a better source of energy than expensive sports drinks, according to a 2012 study at Appalachian State University. Two bananas provide enough calories for an 1-1/2 hour workout or walk.
Bananas also are an ideal pick-me-up. When you feel tired and sluggish in the afternoon don’t go for coffee or a sugary snack. Grab a banana instead.
7. Improve Kidney Health
As a good dietary source of potassium, bananas may be especially beneficial for maintaining healthy kidneys. Potassium is essential for blood pressure control and healthy kidney function. Health Benefits Of Banana
One 13-year study in women determined that those who ate bananas 2–3 times per week were 33% less likely to develop kidney disease.
8. Good for your skin
One medium-sized banana provides approximately 13% of your daily manganese needs. Manganese helps your body make collagen and protects your skin and other cells against free radical damage.
Also read : Health Benefits Of Amla
9. Contain Powerful Antioxidants
Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary antioxidants, and bananas are no exception. They contain several types of potent antioxidants, including dopamine and catechins
These antioxidants are linked to many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease and degenerative illnesses.
Also read : How Does Diet Affect Your Skin?