HEALTH BENEFITS OF BANANAS Who wouldn’t love to eat bananas? This sweet tastingexotic fruit can tickle your taste buds and refresh your mind. In Islamic culture banana is considered as food of Heaven. What essential nutrients the bananas contain? The bananas are rich in essentialvitami ns such as A, B complex, B-6 and C. 75% of banana is composed of water, and the other important nutrients found in it are potassium, manganese, protein, phosphorous, calcium, iron, carbohydrates and fiber. 1. Best food for Improving Digestion: The contents of dietary fiberand carbohydrates present in bananas help to regulate bowel movements which then result in healthy digestive system. It is ideal for getting rid of chronic constipation due to the pectin contents present in it.It helps reduce stomach ulcers and also diminishes the risk of developing gastric cancer. It is a naturalremedy for curing acidity in the digestive track due to itsantacid effect (personal experience). 2. Quit smoking – take banana’s help You might have tried to quitsmoking many times before,but the sick feeling, headaches, stomach cramps, irritation and stressmay have forced you to startsmoking again. Give bananaa chance and try to quit smoking. The rich source of potassium, magnesium and other vital vitamins present in the banana gives your brain a soothing effect whenever it screams for nicotine. It also makes up for the energy levels that you feel to be drained out without smoking and ease out the cramping legs. 3. Banana as a Mood fixer and Stress reliever: Next time, when you feel stressed out or if you would need something to fix your bad mood, try eating a banana. Why? Because the tryptophan contents found in bananas have a soothing effect on the brain. Tryptophan is a kind of amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitte r, which is helpful in stabilizing mood. When we are stressed out our body loses potassium, eating banana could prove to be the best source for maintaining a balanced potassium level. 4. Improves Kidney functions: This amazing fruit is rich in antioxidant phelonic compounds; these compounds are beneficial for maintaining healthy kidneys. The potassium contents found in bananas also aid the kidneys by reducing the production of kidney stones. It also regulates the amount of calcium that is excreted by urine. Studies by Internal Journal of Cancer also revealed that the fruit reduces the risk of developing kidney cancer if taken 4 to 6 times a week. 5. Strengthens Bones: The prebiotics called fructooligosacc haride are essential for the absorption of essential nutrients by ourbody; these prebiotics are present in bananas. It also helps the body to absorb calcium; as a result we get strong bones. It reduces therisk of osteoporosis that many people develop at a later age because the potassium contents found in bananas prevent the loss of calcium by the body. 6. Reduces Blood pressure It is highly recommended for the people having high blood pressure to increase the intake of this fruit. The low sodium and high potassium contents make an ideal combination to reduce the chances of stroke and also prevents hypertension. 7. Banana as a ready source of Energy: Banana is a power boostingfruit; the healthy carbohydrates present in bananas helps to increase energy. The reason why bananas are recommended to be taken at breakfast is that they contain all the power giving elements that will get you through the day. It is also recommended for the people executing strenuous workouts. So throw away those energy drinks and eat bananas instead. 8. Positive effects on Vision: Eating banana on daily basis can have a positive effect on vision. To avoid the risk of macular degeneration (loss of vision with growing age) 3 servings of banana is suggested per day. A study revealed that out of people who had 3 servings of banana per day 36% didn’t develop macular degeneration at all. 9. Ideal food for dieting: The fruit contains 108 calories, the fiber contents present in bananas are found effective in lowering overeating habits. The vitamin B6 present in the fruit is effective for reducingobesity . 10. Effective in Diarrhea: In uncomfortable conditions like diarrhea electrolytes are drained out of the body, causing weakness. These electrolytes can be restocked with the help of potassium levels present in bananas. 11. Good source of Vitamin B6 Researchers suggest that at least 4 bananas should be eaten in a week to supplement your body with powerful nutrients. There are a lot of varieties of Banana available in the market; Red, Green and Yellow, but it is suggested to make the most healthy and delicious choice. The bananas with yellow skin and dark spots on them are 8 times more effective in enhancing the functionality of white blood cells than the green bananas. = (Mumtaz)
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 05:21:19 +0000