The health benefits of banana is such that everyone should deliberately look for it and eat it.
I cannot forget how much I crave for banana back then when I am on transit.
In fact, travelling from Lagos to the east is always a delight to so many especially those who love banana like me.
I will buy one or two bunches and then that is the only thing I eat. And of course, groundnuts are often a good combo.
Ore in Ondo State is a popular place, known for beautiful banana fruits.
In large amounts, you find travellers rush this fruit.
As they eat, I look back to years before this time when I just eat banana because I know it is a fruit and must be great for my health.
I have passed that stage now and you to should come over to where I stand.
Indeed, you may have also been eaten banana for the fact that you know it is sweet and nice for you.
Of a truth, it is important that we go beyond just eating it because it is delicious to knowing the health benefits of banana.
This fruit has enormous health benefits for everyone who eats it.
Most importantly, persons who want an amazing reproductive health should make this fruit a regular.
Health Benefits Of Banana
Let us begin with the nutritional fact. Afterwards, we will look at other health benefits of banana.
1. Rich In Nutrients
The nutrients in banana are enormous. Really, banana is one of the most consumed fruits in the world.
In fact, the health benefits of banana are from the fact that it contains potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium and it is low in cholesterol.
These and other compounds make this fruit the first and the 15 item in the top 20 food and the agricultural commodities production in quantity, for 2007.
Also, banana comprises 75% water and it is among the most calorie-rich (with 90 kcal/100 g) of non-oil fresh fruits.
A green, unripe banana contains mostly of starch and resistant starch.
However, as the fruit ripens the starch turns into sugar in form of glucose, fructose and sucrose.
2. Cure Intestinal Disorders
If you have ever had intestinal disorders in form of diarrheal, ulcer, constipation and others, banana is your food.
Banana contains fibre and is a good one at that. This fibre ensures slow and proper digestion of foods you eat.
A 2014 study identified banana as a good fruit that is good for your digestive system.
Also, as stated earlier, there is resistant starch in banana. This starch is one of the very few nutrients that escape digestion and go to the large intestine.
In the large intestine, this starch feeds friendly bacteria in your system, making you stay healthy.
Also, the other form of fibre found in banana is pectin. Although, this fibre decreases as the banana ripens it is highly beneficial.
According to a 2003 study. pectin is associated with decreases risk of colon cancer.
As a result, an unripe banana improves colonic health and microflora.
3. Banana And Heart Health
One of the highest compounds found in banana is potassium. This compound is great for your heart.
It is known to lower blood pressure and regulate heartbeat.
According to Harvard Medical School, a diet rich in potassium can help keep blood pressure in a healthy range.
Furthermore, banana is low in cholesterol and that makes it a great meal for the heart.
Deposits of bad cholesterol in the arteries have been linked to clogging of the arteries that eventually results to heart issues.
Magnesium is another compound in banana that is also useful to the heart.
4. Banana Controls Blood Sugar Level For Diabetics
For persons that are diabetic, eating unripe banana could help lower their blood sugar level.
Pectin is a form of fibre in banana. Together with resistant starch in the fruit they lower blood sugar level.
They slow down the speed at which sugar finds its way into your blood stream from the food you eat.
Unripe banana is considered a low glycemic index food, with about 30 GI. As a result, it makes a good meal for persons that are diabetic.
However, note that banana becomes more sugary as it ripens and that makes it unhealthy for persons with type-2 diabetes.
According to a 2019 research conducted in Nigeria, ripe banana is considered inappropriate for diabetics.
5. Aids Weight Loss
If you have a BMI that is higher than ideal, and desire to lose weight, banana is one food that you should add to your diet.
Increase how regularly you consume it and your weight will begin to come down.
Banana is sweet, yet it contains few calories, as seen in the image above.
Fibre from vegetables and fruits are great for your system. They slow down the absorption of the sugar in your food.
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All you should know is that the more ripen a banana is the more the sugar level rises.
However, eating moderate quantity of banana helps you stay full and lower the desire for more food which often leads to weight gain.
In 2009, researchers found that increases in fruit consumption were associated with subsequent weight loss.
Also, the pectin in banana helps in fat oxidation, ensuring that the food you eat digests and are converted to energy.
6. Great For Treatment Of Ulcer
Due to the presence of pectin in banana, it protects the gastric mucosa from aspirin-induced injury.
The balancing of bacteria in your digestive system plays a role in maintaining gastric mucosa.
However, since pectin is higher in unripe banana, it is advisable to add unripe banana to your diet if you are treating ulcer.
7. Improves Kidney Health
Really, you need your kidney to be healthy always and banana and other foods can help you achieve this,
The potassium in banana prevents kidney stone.
However, excess consumption of this compound also posses risk to the kidney.
Moderation is the key. Aim for a balanced diet.
8. Banana Is Rich In Antioxidants
Banana is one of such fruits with different antioxidants that help clear free radicals from your body.
This process stops them from attacking your cells.
Some of the antioxidants in banana identified in a 2014 research are polysaccharidic compounds, carotenoids, flavonoids.
These compounds are really needed in your body in a place like Nigeria where you are exposed to toxins.
They come in form of heavy metals and lead.
9. Banana As Great Fertility Booster
Potassium and vitamin B6 in banana are great for both males and females. .
Together they improve sperm and egg health for persons that are trying to conceive.
Different studies have identified the role of these compounds in making males and females more fertile.
Furthermore, there are reports that women who suffer ovarian cyst, which is known to affect pregnancy and ovulation have potassium deficiency.
Also, in men, potassium is a necessary component of the semen.
Do your best to buy banana, preferably the not so sweet ones and eat them as often as you can.
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