Are Bananas Good For You?

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Why Are Bananas Good For You?

Are Bananas Good For You – Introduction

1 medium sized banana (118g) has a pretty low glycemic index of 10 because it is full of fiber. Although it has 105 calories but considering the slow digestion of fiber, it will makes you feel full for couple of hours so you won’t have to snack within that couple of hours. Besides, banana is rich in potassium and low in salt.

Before we go into why are bananas good for you, let’s check out the nutrition fact of 1 medium sized banana (118g) below.

Are Bananas Good For You – Macronutrients

Are Bananas Good For You – Micronutrients

Are Bananas Good For you – Anti Cancer Property

Did you know that the ripper the banana is, the higher the immune activity is? The degree of anti-cancer effect corresponds to the degree of ripeness of the banana. This means a fully ripped banana has the highest anti-cancer property. Research shows that banana produces a substance called TNF (Tumor necrosis factors) which has the ability to combat abnormal cells. TNF refers to a group of cytokines family that can cause cell death (apoptosis). The first two members of the family to be identified were Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-β).

Research also shows that banana promotes the growth of white blood cells, but it only promotes the growth when the number of white blood cells decreased. It will not promote the growth of it when it is in normal level. Yellow skin bananas with dark spots on it are 8 times more effective in enhancing the property of white blood cells than the green skin version. So banana is very good to everyone especially patient or people with weaker immune system.

Are Bananas Good For You – More Health Benefits

Reduce Depression
Bananas provide vitamin B6, which helps your body create serotonin, explains Medline Plus. Consequently, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a lack of B6 increases your risk of developing depression, and a sufficient amount decreases the risk. The journal notes that consuming B6 doesn’t necessarily cure or prevent depression, and Medline Plus warns that excessive B6 can endanger your nervous system. However, the study also concludes that a healthy intake of B6–from foods such as bananas–can decrease your risk for depression, especially as you grow older.

Treat Constipation and Diarrhea
The potassium that is found in ripe bananas will help stop diarrhea. The potassium content will replace needed electrolytes in your body. An enzyme called fructooligosaccharide is in bananas, and it hinders the fermentation of bananas once they are in your intestinal track, which helps prevent constipation for some people. This enzyme also assists in natural digestion. They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.

Prevent Blood Pressure
Bananas are extremely high in potassium, yet very low in sodium, thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Better Calcium Absorbtion
Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body’s ability to absorb calcium.

Protect Eyesight
Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of banana per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of banana daily.

Quit Smoking
The vitamins B6 and B12, and the potassium-magnesium combination found in bananas has a profound effect in helping the body recover from nicotine withdrawal of one who is trying to quit smoking.

Stress Relief
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the heartbeat and regulate the body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs

Reduce Stroke Risk
Researchers from UK and Italy have found that eating three bananas a day can reduce stroke risk. Researchers say that eating a banana for breakfast, a banana for lunch and a banana for the evening will provide adequate potassium to reduce the possibility of suffering blood clots in the brain about around 21 percents. Besides bananas, the research also shows that stroke can be prevented by consuming potassium-rich foods such as spinach and beans.

Prevent Stomach Ulcers
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

These are only a small part of why are bananas good for you. So let’s recap the question, are bananas good for you? Just grab yourself 1 or 2 bananas per day to keep doctors away.

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P.P.S. Check out my other post – Benefits of Avocado

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