Health Benefits of Bananas

  August 9th, 2009 by Organic Living

health-benefits-bananasBananas are great additions to your daily diet, it’s a great food for all round health benefits for just about anyone, whether you’re the average person, a dieter or even an athlete. Consisting of a combination of carbohydrates, B6 and B12 vitamins, it assists in providing the energy boost needed at any given moment. The sugars (fructose and glucose), which are contained in bananas, are known to enter the bloodstream rapidly which is a good thing if you are experiencing low blood sugar. This makes them a good food choice for hypoglycemics and diabetics.

Natural Fiber

Bananas also contain a natural fiber that contributes to the following:
• Healthy Bowels
• Cardiovascular Health
• Protection from Strokes
• Protection from Ulcers
• Improves Blood Pressure
• May Boost Mood
• Boost Energy
• Helps Reduce Water Retention

Dietary Supplement

Bananas can be used a dietary supplement because of the following:
• They are high in vitamins B6 and B12 and so low in sodium.
• They also contain magnesium and potassium along with the sugars sucrose, fructose and glucose.
• Low in calories and fat (a typical medium banana has less than 100 calories and with a glass of water, can be very filling)
• Full of nutrients for increased energy and vitality
• The effect of one banana on blood sugar and protein levels is good for up to two hours. This makes it a near perfect dietary snack.

Nicotine Withdrawal

When the body is experiencing a nicotine withdrawal process, it is said that vitamins B6, B12, potassium, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals present in bananas help the body recover more quickly, physically and psychologically, from nicotine withdrawal.

Anti-Wrinkle Aid

Once you’ve finished eating the banana don’t throw the peel away; put it to good use. Because the banana peel is also loaded with potassium it can be used to reduce wrinkles around the eyes. Rubbing a fresh banana peel, yellow side out, under and around the eyes can reduce worry lines and bags

A medium banana consists of:

• Gram of protein
• Three grams of fiber
• Twenty-seven grams of carbohydrates
• Twenty-four grams of sugars
• Forty-three grams of magnesium
• Four hundred sixty grams of potassium

Other Known Banana Benefits

banana
Bananas can be used in several other ways:
• A banana peel can reduce the itching and swelling from an insect bite. Just rub the peel on the bite or for extended relief tape some peel to the bite.
• Bananas can also be a digestion aid, they are the “B” in the Banana, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT) diet, a food regimen recommended for children recovering from gastric upset. Note that the BRAT diet is not recommended for extended periods as it lacks protein.
• It can be used as a sports tonic, the potassium and magnesium makes it a near perfect sports food for those lactic acid related cramps. A banana after a particularly grueling run or bike outing will relieve muscle cramps within fifteen minutes.
• In the garden – rose bushes thrive on potassium so try scattering a few peels around the base of these bushes.
• The riper a banana the better it is for you, in fact sugar content in a banana is at its peak when the skin has turned completely black. This is the point at which all the starches in a banana have been converted to sugars.

Remember, for an energy boost, it’s great to eat approximately 30 minutes before a workout or even great to eat at breakfast each morning. So, as you can see, bananas are not just good to eat, its peel is also good for your skin and good for certain plants.

Filed under: Health Blog | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Health Benefits of Bananas”

  1. ~~~~~~
    August 11th, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    Thanks for writing this blog:) I didn’t know bananas were so healthy. Sounds like they’re great for people with Ucolitis!

  2. Organic Health Blog
    August 11th, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    Great article! Bananas are one of the most overlooked fruit when it comes to nutritional values.

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    December 18th, 2009 at 12:41 PM

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    February 22nd, 2010 at 7:39 AM

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