The Health & Nutritional Benefits of Banana

The Health & Nutritional Benefits of Banana

Banana is scientifically called Musa Acuminate & it is a fruit that is available all year round. It is planted mainly in the tropical & subtropical regions of African, American, Asia, the Canary Islands & Australia, and its scientific name. Banana grows in clusters, varies in size, colour & firmness. The banana fruit is usually long & curved with soft flesh rich in starch, & is usually covered with a rind which may be green, yellow, red, purple or brown when ripe.

Composition of Banana

Banana is extremely nutritious, rich in potassium,
magnesium, vitamins B6 & B9, tryptophan (a kind of essential amino acid found in proteins), norepinephrine (hormone found in the nervous system), choline (a basic compound that is found in various foods such as egg yolks & legumes), riboflavin (a component of vitamin B), niacin (found in vitamin B) & fiber. It is also high in sugar. It contains a high concentration of antioxidant. 

Health Benefits Derived from Bananas

Effective liver function and Normal Matabolism

The cholic helps the liver to function effectively while the riboflavin helps normal metabolism. It is a rapid energy booster because of its high sugar content. Banana can actually be eaten as a snack.

Skin Protection

The antioxidant provides protection from free radicals, sunlight & the cream we apply on our skin.
High blood Pressure Prevention
Potassium is very good for the heart & according to the United States Food & Drug Administration potassium protects the cardiovascular system against high blood pressure. 

Depression

The high concentration of tryptophan in banana helps you to overcome depression.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes, Weight Loss & Relaxation
Vitamin B6 helps to protect the body against type 2 diabetes & aids in weight loss. The vitamin B6 & magnesium helps you to sleep well & relax your muscles. Banana helps in weight loss as it curbs food cravings but gives you a feeling of fullness when eaten.

Rapid Energy Booster

Banana is a rapid energy booster because of its high sugar content. It sustains energy during exercise. 

Boost Vision & Improves Eye-sight

According to the National Institutes of Health, the vitamin A in banana protects the eyes, helps to maintain normal vision and improves your vision at night. Vitamin A contains compounds that preserve the membranes around the eyes & also prevents macular degeneration an incurable condition which blurs central vision.

Prevention of Kidney Cancer

A moderate consumption of banana protects you from having kidney cancer because of its high vel of phenolic compounds. It was established in a 2005 Swedish study that women eating four to six bananas a week reduced their risk of developing kidney cancer by 50%.

Consumption

The riper the banana the more its nutrients. It can be eaten sliced or mashed. Even the peels are edible & packed with nutrients but you should carefully wash it before eating because of the pesticides applied to it when planting. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that adults eat about two bananas on a daily basis.

Side Effects Association with Eating Bananas

There are no side effects when the fruit is eaten in moderation but it can trigger headache & sleepiness when eaten in excess. You must also take care of your teeth to avoid tooth decay when eating banana since it is a very sugary fruit. 

Your comments, contributions & questions are highly welcome. Please share the post with others & watch out for our next post.  Your can connect with us further by visiting & liking our facebook page by clicking Eddysam Facebook Page    

To receive our health tips directly to your phone you can join our Whatsapp group  
by clicking on the link below: 

" Healthy Living through Lifestlye & Nutrition "  

Thanks.