Bananas are one of the most tempting fruits, extremely delicious, and a healthy snack. They are loaded with potassium, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. Evidence shows that the nutrients levels rise in bananas as they ripen, dark-spotted bananas are 8 times more effective in boosting the power of white blood cells than green skin bananas.
An array of health benefits is linked with this curvy yellow fruit. Bananas help to attain your weight loss goals, keeps your bowels healthy, normalize the heart rhythm, and strengthen the nervous system. Keep a bunch of bananas on your desk and boost your energy.
Health Benefits Of Eating Bananas
1.Heart Healthy
The potassium, magnesium and vitamin content in bananas all support heart health. According to the FDA, bananas, high potassium and low sodium content reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease against the adverse effect of high blood pressure. Also Read: 5 Foods Abundant In Potassium That Are Incredibly Healthy – Infographic
2.Promote Digestive Health
Bananas are an ideal choice of food recommended for diarrhoea treatment. BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) diet is recommended for the nutritional management of diarrhoea. Bananas replace the lost electrolytes like potassium during bouts of diarrhoea that make you feel weak. As per the study published in Nutrition Bulletin 2017, the resistant starch in bananas support the gut health and promotes regularity.
3. Enhance The Mood And Boost The Memory
The high levels of tryptophan in bananas are converted to serotonin, the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter that helps to overcome depression and boosts memory. The goodness of vitamin B6 and magnesium promotes good sleep and relaxes the muscles.
4. Treats Asthma
Researchers at the Imperial College of London found that children who ate just 1 banana per day had a 34% less chance of developing asthma.
5. Promotes Weight Loss
The presence of dietary fibre and the resistant starch in bananas plays a vital role in weight loss because it slows digestion, helps you feel full, keeps blood sugar levels balanced, and burns fat for energy reveals the Journal of Nutrition. Also Read: Top 5 Super Foods To Achieve Weight Loss - Infographic
6. Soothes Ulcer and Heartburn
Bananas cure heartburn. They balance the stomach's pH and enhance the mucus layer, relieving pain. The fibre contents ease the food to move faster through the intestine preventing reflux.
Eating bananas regularly protects against stomach ulcers by thickening the protective mucus barrier in the stomach and preventing damage from hydrochloric acid. The protease inhibitors in bananas eliminate stomach bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers.
7. Improves Libido
Bananas benefits for men include a range of health benefits for men's health and are packed with nutrients.
Potassium, the main nutrient in bananas, helps to boost the production of testosterone, the male sex hormone and improves the libido. Tryptophan present in bananas helps to increase the secretion of serotonin, a hormone that lifts mood and increases the sex drive in men.
Manganese and magnesium in bananas improve prostate health and promote the functioning of reproductive organs to their optimum.
Bananas are a great source of bromelain and vitamin B that regulates the hormone testosterone and increases sexual desire, performance, and overall virility. Bananas being a good source of carbohydrates boost energy levels and increase blood circulation even to male reproductive organs and help to improve libido.
Additional Health Benefits
Promotes Kidney Health
Potassium is a crucial mineral for healthy kidney function and management of blood pressure. Being intrinsically rich in potassium, bananas would be a great addition to your meal regimen when it comes to maintaining kidney health. Studies disclose that early-stage kidney disease associated with potassium reduces blood pressure and slower progression of kidney disease. While a few people with last-stage kidney disease or on dialysis need to limit their potassium intake.
Help Exercise Recovery
Bananas are considered the ideal food for athletes, as it offer an instant source of energy and minerals to replenish the fluid lost during strenuous exercise. Packed with the goodness of easily digestible carbs, potassium, and magnesium, both of which serve as a natural source of electrolytes restoring the body with the needed nutrition. Besides these, bananas deliver impressive amounts of nutrients before, during, and after exercise.
Keep You Satiated
The presence of soluble dietary fibre in bananas may support keeping you full by adding bulk and slowing down the digestion process. Also, bananas are low in calories and high in fibre content making them an ideal and filling snack than other junk or highly processed foods.
Whole Wheat Banana Pan Cake
Healthy and wholesome dessert that can be made in a jiffy with minimum ingredients.
Ingredients
3 medium-sized bananas
¼ cup powdered jaggery
½ cup wheat flour
½ tsp cardamom powder
A pinch of salt
Water as required
Oil as required
For Garnish
Maple syrup or honey
Method
In a bowl add the bananas and mash well with a masher, add jaggery, wheat flour and pour water in parts and mix the batter well without any lumps like a dosa batter consistency.
Add cardamom powder, salt and mix well.
Heat a tawa and grease with a little oil or ghee as per your preference, pour a spoonful of the batter on the tawa and gently spread into a shape of small pancakes.
Drizzle a little oil and cook on medium flame until golden brown on both sides.
Remove from the tawa and drizzle with maple syrup or honey and serve the pancakes.
Nutrition Facts
Bananas are imbued with essential nutrients like potassium, fibre, vitaminsB6, C and antioxidants that are well-known to regulate the blood pressure, improve heart health and digestion and serves as an instant energy booster. Wheat flour is a healthy source of complex carbs and fibre provides you with needed energy. Immense amounts of iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and selenium in jaggery facilitates to boost the iron stores and detoxes the liver. Cardamom adds flavour and assists in smooth digestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Good To Eat Bananas Every Day?
Eating one banana per day is healthy but since most of the calories in bananas are in the form of carbohydrates, overconsumption may result in high sugar intake. This can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure.
What Is The Main Benefit Of Banana?
Bananas are a high source of potassium. This mineral helps to promote heart health. One medium-sized banana contains around 0.5 grams of potassium. Thus, eating one banana a day can help lower risk of heart disease.
What Is The Right Time To Eat Banana?
Ideally, You should consume bananas in the morning or evening and avoid eating them at night as our body's metabolism is at its lowest. However, eat a banana late in the evening and before a meal. It may help to regulate the sleep cycle due to presence of sleep-inducing hormones serotonin and melatonin.
Are Bananas Good For Men?
Potassium in bananas can boost the production of testosterone male sex hormone. Moreover, tryptophan present in bananas increases the secretion of serotonin. This hormone helps to lift mood and can enhance sex drive in men.
References:
- Health Benefits of Green Banana Consumption: A Systematic Review
Ana Luisa Falcomer,1 Roberta Figueiredo Resende Riquette,2 Bernardo Romão de Lima
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627159/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271157
