8 Mind-Blowing Benefits of Bananas
Bananas are one of the world’s most convenient snack foods. Not only are bananas tasty, delicious, and nutritious, they even provide their own packaging. Isn’t that thoughtful of them? Needless to say, we’re fans of these awesome yellow fruits, which is why we’re looking at several health benefits of bananas in today’s article. Look into any fruit bowl or homemade granola in households around the world, and you’ll struggle to find a household that doesn’t have a bunch of these wonderful yellow fruits. If you do find a banana-less household, there’s a strong chance that the owners ate them all and simply haven’t gotten around to buying some more yet. There’s a reason why bananas are so popular, and there’s a reason why they’re revered by athletes and health enthusiasts. In fact, there are several reasons, and we’ll be listing them right now. Here are 8 mind-blowing benefits of bananas.
Bananas regulate blood glucose levels
When talking about fruit, it’s unusual to find a fruit that helps to actually regulate blood sugar levels. Normally, fruit increases blood sugar levels because it contains fructose, a naturally occurring sugar. Bananas are different. Bananas have low levels of natural sugars and they’re rich in pectin. Pectin is a form of fiber which, along with starch in bananas, functions as a form of soluble fiber. This means that they break down, expand, and form a thick paste within the stomach, which slows digestion. This means that blood sugar levels cannot spike. Bananas also have a low to moderate Glycaemic Index.
Bananas promote digestive health
Another of the benefits of bananas that we’ll be looking at today, is the fact that bananas help to promote digestive health. Again, this is mainly down to the fiber content found in bananas. The dietary fiber in bananas helps to keep gut bacteria levels healthy, it increases nutrient absorption rates, it slows digestion, and it even helps to prevent digestive disorders such as acid reflux or indigestion.
Bananas are rich in potassium
Bananas are loaded full of nutrients, which we’ll be looking at in more detail a little later on. For now, though, we’re going to focus on just one – potassium. Potassium is a mineral needed by the body for a wide range of physiological processes and functions. Potassium is especially beneficial for prevent cramp and buffering lactic acid build ups.
Bananas are great for athletic performance
There’s a reason why athletes and sportsmen eat bananas on a regular basis, and it isn’t just because they taste great. It turns out that bananas help to promote athletic performance in a number of ways. To begin with, bananas are a great source of complex carbohydrates, which means that they help to provide a steady stream of energy for those that consume them. Not only that, but as mentioned, they also contain potassium, which buffers lactic acid build-up. Lactic acid is a by-product of aerobic and anaerobic exercise and it is responsible for muscle cramp and fatigue. As the potassium in bananas helps to reduce lactic acid production, this in turn helps to prevent muscle cramp and fatigue, allowing you to exercise for longer.
Bananas are convenient
If you want a pre-workout meal that will give you plenty of energy and nutrition, bananas are great. There are other options such as porridge, but to actually make the meal you need to spend an age in the kitchen, then there’s the washing up, and the waiting for it to cool down. Bananas however, are about as convenient as you can get. Bananas are ready to eat, they’re full of energy and nutrition, they’ll a convenient size, and they even package themselves, so you don’t need to use any additional packaging. If you need a healthy snack on the go, just grab a banana and you’re all set.
Bananas can promote weight loss
Another of the great benefits of bananas that we’ll be listing today, is that bananas can help to promote weight loss. Bananas are low in fat and moderate in calories. Not only that, but they’re also rich in fiber which promotes satiety. Oh, and they also help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes. Insulin is a fat-storing hormone, so that’s also useful. This means that by eating bananas, you can regulate your caloric intakes, you’ll feel full for longer, you won’t be consuming any unhealthy fats, and you’ll also have more energy to exercise, so ironically you’ll burn off more calories. In terms of snack foods that promote weight loss, bananas certainly take some beating.
Bananas promote cardiovascular health
Bananas also have a reputation for being great for the heart. They’re low in fat, they give you energy to exercise, they regulate hormones, and they’re high in potassium. Potassium has been found to help reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels and arteries, and it can cause heart damage and even a heart attack. Potassium helps reduce blood pressure, which in turn helps to reduce your risk of heart trouble.
Bananas are nutritious
As far as the health benefits of bananas go, this one’s very important. Bananas are loaded full of nutrients, which do the body a world of good. They contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote organ health and function, they boost the immune system, they balance equilibrium internally, and they ensure that everything works as it should.
As you can see, bananas rule when it comes to taste and health benefits. The next time your fruit supply is getting low, be sure to stock up on bananas.