Sunday, October 9, 2011

Wonderful Health Benefits of Bananas

Health benefits of bananas are numerous making the banana to be the almost perfect food. A number of these health benefits of bananas make them a wonderful source of energy whether prolonged or immediate.

One of the health benefits of bananas is an amino acid which is called tryptophan which gets converted into serotonin that helps fight depression. A high content of iron helps the hemoglobin perform properly to combat anemia. High fiber content will help restore our bowel function to a normal condition. A soluble fiber called pectin helps the bowl movement pass through the digestive tract. When we have a case of diarrhea it depletes our body's electrolytes, potassium being of most importance; fortunately bananas are very high in potassium.

Research that was published in "Archives of Ophthalmology" showed that if adults consume 3 helpings of fruit every day have a much lower risk, close to thirty-six percent, of getting macular degeneration, one of the main cause for vision loss in older people, compared to consuming only 1-1/2 servings a day. One of the nutritional benefits of eating bananas is a rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes friendly bacteria in our colon. These probiotic bacteria produce enzymes that will increase the ability of our digestive system to help protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharide, the good bacteria increases in number and increases our body's ability to absorb calcium.

The level of potassium in the banana is very high, approximately 4,673 mg, but is quite low in sodium, roughly 1 mg; therefore containing a perfect ratio for maintaining normal levels of blood pressure. Because of this, the US Food and Drug Administration have allowed the banana industry to formally claim the ability of the fruit to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. If you suffer from heartburn occasionally try eating a banana for a soothing relief. Eating a banana between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and it will also help prevent morning sickness in pregnant women. Another health benefit of the banana is to help the person trying to stop smoking. They contain magnesium and potassium but also vitamin B 6 and B 12 which helps our body recover from the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine.

Bananas are considered to be the only fruit that when eaten raw will not cause any distress with a case of ulcers. It helps in reducing acidity and alleviates irritation. Bananas will arouse the cells of the inner lining of the stomach in producing thicker mucus which will help to protect against acid. This fruit also has protease inhibitors which help to eliminate bacteria that usually are the cause of stomach ulcers. Our nerve function will also improve with the high amount of B vitamins. It has been reported that rubbing the inside part of the banana peel on a bite from a mosquito it will reduce the itching and swelling.

The high levels of potassium are also good for stress relief. By doing this it brings the heartbeat down to a normal level and regulates the balance of water in our body. It happens that during periods of high stress our body's potassium levels deplete very fast but eating a banana will help re-balance those levels without having to use prescription drugs. According to a study found in The New England Journal of Medicine, if bananas are a part of a regular diet you just might reduce your risk of a stroke and dying by about forty percent. If you happen to suffer from leg cramps in the middle of the night you may want to eat two bananas during the course of the day, one mid-morning and another at a mid-evening snack. This is much cheaper than filling a prescription for a potassium supplement.

A good way to cure a hangover would be to drink a banana milk shake sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and the honey helps to build up blood-sugar levels that were depleted from the body; the milk in the shake soothes and re-hydrates the body. To preserve bananas you can put them in the refrigerator; the outside peel gets dark but the banana itself remains firm and delicious. These are just a few health benefits of bananas.

Barbara has checked into the health benefits of bananas and found this fruit to be almost the perfect food for good nutrition. She has several articles on her website Gardeners Garden Supplies regarding the nutritional benefits of certain foods. Please visit for some interesting facts.

By Barbara_Volkov

1 comment:

  1. Bananas are a great staple carbohydrate. They are cheap and keep you going.

    They are also a great base for smoothies and work well with raw chocolate.

    I have health articles on my website