Why You Should Be Bananas for Bananas!

 

Bananas are thought to be the favourite fresh fruit of the American people and with the abundance of goodness they contain, this is great for the health of the country! Bananas provide the body with numerous vitamins and minerals, and also there is also a serious dose of fibre in each one! Fiber is essential, not only for positive intestinal health, but also to help protect the body against certain diseases. Today we are going to look at the incredible reasns that you should be bananas for bananas!

Banana Nutrition

 

This curved yellow fruit is a well-known dietary source of potassium, which is important when it comes to the health of the cardiovascular system. An optimum amount of potassium in the body is also linked to lower blood pressure levels and a greater protection against muscle wastage and kidney stones. Nutrition experts are widely in agreement that obtaining an adequate amount of potassium through dietary sources is better for the body than using supplements.

 

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Bananas are also a great source of vitamin C, as well as vitamin B6. Vitamin C is useful for helping to prevent and tackle infections in the body. It also helps in the fight against rogue free radicals that can arrive from several different sources, such as foods and pollutant. Vitamin B6, which is also known as pyridoxine, is used during the process of converting food into energy. Vitamin B6 is also important because it aids the nervous system, as well as helping to keep the liver, hair, skin and eyes healthy.

 

As well as being known for their health promoting benefits, bananas are also thought to be useful as a natural remedy for certain complaints. They are thought to be especially beneficial for tackling acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion.

 

Excellent Source of Fiber

 

As mentioned before, bananas are a healthy source of fiber and that is great for the body for several different reasons. As a carbohydrate, fiber is not broken down in the body and for that reason it is not digestible. This means that it is useful for preventing constipation as it can help the movement of waste through the intestines. On the other hand, this fiber can also soak up additional water in the intestines which is beneficial for preventing diarrhea. The fiber in bananas is also thought to be useful for those who are attempting to lose weight. This is because fiber can help you to feel fuller for long, therefore helping to prevent over-eating.

 

Better Mood, Better Sleep

Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used during the production of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is essential for the regulation of mood and sleep and bananas are bursting with tryptophan!

 

Research has suggested that regularly consuming bananas can really help to encourage a better sleep cycle, as well as an improved mood on the whole. Furthermore, the presence of magnesium and potassium in bananas can also help with sleeplessness. People suffering from a magnesium deficiency can usually expect to have their sleep affected in a negative way.

Too Many Bananas

 

Although bananas are undeniably fantastic for the body, problems can arise if you seriously over-indulge in this fruit. This is mostly because of the risks involve with consuming too much potassium. However, it would arguably be very difficult to eat enough bananas to actually cause any health problems, and the body generally excretes any additional potassium without problems arising. However, eating just one or two every day is enough to enjoy the various health benefits and is an optimum amount to include in your diet.

 

Bananas for Bone Health

 

As is the focus of many of our blog posts at Onto Orthopedics, the health benefits to your bones of bananas are the main reason for this article! Studies have shown that regularly consuming bananas can help your body to increase calcium absorption, which is great for the future health of your bones.

 

Bananas are able to do this because of a compound within them that encourages the growth of good bacteria in your colon. This in turn increases the amount of vitamins and digestive enzymes that your body absorbs from dietary sources. Additionally, those who enjoy a diet rich in potassium are thought to be better protected against age related bone problems, such as osteoporosis.

 

Adjusting Your Diet

There are so many great ways to include bananas in your diet every day that this really does not have to be a struggle. Try chopping one up to add to your morning cereal bowl or alternatively a banana or two is always a welcome addition to a morning smoothie.

 

They are perfect for snacking on throughout the day and are also a popular pre and post workout snack for those of you who like to hit the gym. If you make it through the day without having eaten a banana, then it is a good choice as healthy dessert option after your evening meal. As you can see, there is much to be gained by upping your banana intake!

 

References

 

1) http://saveourbones.com/calcium-absorption-bananas/

2) https://bone-health.knoji.com/health-benefits-of-bananas-for-bone-health/

3) http://www.livestrong.com/article/230722-banana-nutrition-guide/