benefits of bananas

Bananas are rich in a mineral electrolyte called potassium. When potassium enters your body, it absorbs directly into your bloodstream through intestinal walls. Potassium travels around to cells all over your body and dissolves in fluid inside of cells. It travels across cell membranes if needed to keep fluid balanced in and around cells. This process keeps electricity flowing throughout your system, which is required to make your heart beat.

Adding a banana to your diet also helps keep your eyes healthy. Bananas have a small amount of vitamin A, a fatsoluble vitamin that is vital for protecting your eyes and normal vision. The term vitamin A refers to a series of compounds, including betacarotene and alphacarotene. These compounds preserve the membranes that surround your eyes and are a component of one of the proteins that brings light into your cornea.

Cardiovascular benefit from bananas is related to their potassium content. Bananas are a good source of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since one mediumsized banana contains a whopping 400plus mg of potassium, the inclusion of bananas in your routine meal plan may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis.

The unique mix of vitamins, minerals, and low glycemic carbohydrates in bananas has made them a favorite fruit among endurance athletes. Their easy portability, low expense, and great taste also help support their popularity in this exclusive group.

Bananas and plantain contain substances called chitinases that are associated with the latexfruit allergy syndrome. There is strong evidence of the crossreaction between latex and these foods.

In addition to the nutrients highlighted in our ratings chart, an indepth nutritional profile for Bananas is also available. This profile includes information on a full array of nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more.

Since bananas are picked off the tree while theyre still green, its not unusual to see them this color in the store. Base your choice of bananas depending upon when you want to consume them. Bananas with more green coloration will take longer to ripen than those more yellow in hue and/or with brown spots.

Bananas can also be frozen and will keep for about 2 months. Either puree them before freezing or simply remove the peel and wrap the bananas in plastic wrap. To prevent discoloration, add some lemon juice before freezing.

According to research, the potassium in this fruit keeps the blood pressure levels in check and it can also help decrease its levels. A good source of vitamin B, banana helps perk up nerve function and boosts learning abilities.

Pectin found in bananas helps to alleviate constipation and improves bowel function. Probiotic bacteria present in bananas is known to absorb calcium in the body. Hence, it helps in building better bones.