Banana is popular fruit in Nigeria, almost everyone eats banana as a snack or part of a meal. Banana is not just a fruit but is packed with a lot of health benefits.
The good thing about banana is that both diabetic patients and people on weight management can take banana without experiencing negative effects.
Banana is packed with
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Dietary fiber
- Potassium
- And other nutrients
A finger of banana can provide you with instant energy to kick-start the day and is good for the stomach. A finger of banana contains about 90% calories making it a healthy snacks.
See other health benefits of Banana:
1. Boost energy
Banana has low water content and more calories, it contains sugar in the form of sucrose, fructose and glucose all combined in fibre allowing instant supply of energy. Banana is ideal for children and athletes.
2. Support heart health
Banana contains potassium that helps to regulate heart function and fluid balance which is a key factor in blood pressure management and a medium-sized banana will provide around 320-499 mg of potassium which makes up 10% of your daily potassium needed.
3. Aids digestion
Banana has soluble and insoluble fiber content which aree both important to human health. Soluble fibre helps the body to control blood sugar level and get rid of cholesterol while insoluble fiber adds weight and softness to stools making it easier for you to have regular bowel movement.
Newly ripped banana contain starch that does not digest in your small intestine and is able to pass into the large intestine to help you stay full longer.
4. Skin care
The presence of manganese in banana helps the body to make collagen and protect the skin and other cells against Greer radical damage. One medium-sized banana provides up to 13% of daily manganese needs.
5. Support brain health
Vitamin C in banana helps in the production of serotonin- a hormone that affects our sleep cycle, mood and experiences of stress and pain.
6. Reduces cancer growth
Lectin, a protein that occurs in banana may help prevent leukemia cells from growing. Lectin acts as anti-oxidant which helps the body remove free radicals and if these free radicals build up, cell damage can occur leading to cancer.
7. Reduces risk of diabetes
Banana contain fiber and eating fiber can help lower blood sugar levels. Eating s high fiber diet could reduce the risk of Type 2 do and may lower blood sugar in those who have the disease already.
8. Boost memory
Banana contain tryptophan, an amino acid that may help preserve memory and boost a person’s ability to learn and remember things and regulate mood.
