As we all know the fruit ‘Banana’ is cherished by almost all children but the adults keep a distance as they think that banana is full of fat and eating it may add to that extra fat in their body. But this is far from the truth. What we do not know is that banana has zero fat and zero cholesterol. So why worry about the fat that would get tucked up in your belly…
Banana has many health benefits to its credit. Banana is primarily made up of three types of sugars namely glucose, fructose and sucrose. These sugars are source of immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy. In addition to this banana also contains some about of fiber.
Banana also is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. A medium sized banana contains as high as 400mg of the mineral potassium. Potassium is that one mineral that is good for your heart and nerves. It is also beneficial for proper muscle contraction; normal rhythmic pumping of the heart, improves digestion and muscular movements. Research has shown that low potassium intake can be a risk factor for causation of high blood pressure and stroke.
High potassium content of banana makes its beneficial for kidneys and bones. Normal intake or potassium in your daily diet suppresses the calcium excretion in the urine thereby minimizing the risk of development of kidney stones. It also aids in minimizing the loss of calcium from the body and thus reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Apart from potassium, bananas also have a high content of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in converting tryptophan to serotonin; this helps the body to build hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 is also crucial for antibody production in the body and thereby maintains a healthy immune system. It also helps in conversion of carbohydrates to glucose and thus maintains proper glucose levels.
In addition to vitamins and minerals, bananas also are a good source of dietary fiber. A medium sized banana contains about 16% of the daily recommended dietary fiber intake for a normal adult. Fiber is known or improving bowel movements, also lowers the risk o development of coronary artery disease as well as type 2 diabetes.
Bananas have many beneficial health effects. They are really cheap and affordable by the population at large. They serve as a cheap source of nutrition. Include one banana daily in your diet and have healthy heart and stronger bones. A banana a day shall also drive anemia away…..
