Stay Fit and Healthy with Bananas!!

All you need to know about bananas.

The Nutritional Value of a Banana

Per 100mg of Banana

• Calories: 116 Kcal
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Protein: 1.2g
• Fat: 0.3g
• Sodium: 36.6mg
• Potassium: 88.0mg
• Dietary fiber: 1.8g

The banana is a mix of complex and simple sugars. As it ripens, the content of simple sugar increases. The banana is the least bio-contaminated fruit, thanks to its thick outer skin that protects the edible part. Therefore it is the healthiest fruit.

The banana is beneficial in many different ways.

1. Against blood pressure: The banana has a low sodium and high potassium content, which helps in regulating the blood pressure and reduces the risk of a stroke.
2. For building muscles: The high potassium levels in the banana help in toning up the muscles. That is why body builders consume bananas in large quantities.
3. Protecting the gastrointestinal tract: Most food and water-borne diseases strike when the tract lining becomes weak as bad microorganisms become powerful enough to seep into the system. Banana is a prebiotic food, which means it has certain specific components, which facilitate the growth of desirable microorganisms within the system. These microorganisms boost the immunity of the gastrointestinal system. When banana is consumed with yogurt or curds, it yields richer dividends. Yogurt and curd are probiotic foods meaning they contain desirable microorganisms. As a result, a banana yogurt mixture gives a symbiotic effect, meaning the gastrointestinal tract not only gets the desired microorganisms but also the facilitators for their further growth.
4. Against digestion related problems: Since the banana contains sugars, it is recommended for people with digestion related problems. Also the presence of soluble fibers, pectin in the ripe ones has a binding effect on stools.

The banana should be consumed half an hour to an hour prior to a meal as it helps combating acidity. The banana can also be consumed after eating in place of dessert, as it contains fewer calories.

Myths About Bananas:

1. It is often believed that the banana is bad for cold. This is a misconception. A banana can be consumed anytime.
2. It is said that the banana is good for anemic people, because it contains iron. This is false; the banana has a very low iron content.
3. Dialectologists used to say that the banana is bad for diabetics because of its high carbohydrate content. But actually the banana is recommended to diabetics in small quantities.