One of the popular types of fruit in our country, and throughout the world, is bananas - a tasty and nutritious product, affordable and sold in every store, healthy and rich in essential substances. They contain a large amount of pectin, natural sugars, phosphorus and calcium, magnesium and iron, potassium and other chemical compounds. Also, every ripe banana is a real storehouse of vitamins and easily digestible carbohydrates.
Beneficial properties of bananas
In many southern countries, in fact, where bananas of different varieties mainly grow, they are one of the main sources of food for the population. This is not surprising, since in such places this fruit is grown in huge quantities for export and consumption by local residents, and it also grows wild everywhere.
Among the huge variety of products, banana stands out because it has a truly wide range of beneficial properties:
- The complex chemical substances found in its pulp are an excellent means for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. Its regular use helps to normalize the acidity of gastric juice, stimulates the activation of the digestion process, thereby improving the digestibility of other foods.
- Another important advantage of a product such as a banana is its high concentration of magnesium and potassium - elements that should be in the healthy diet of every person, regardless of his age and gender. Without their help, it is difficult to imagine the normal functioning of the heart, muscle activity, bone and teeth growth, and liver function. By eating a couple of bananas daily, you can completely cover your daily requirement for potassium, as well as almost completely for magnesium. This fruit is considered especially useful for athletes and workers who, due to the nature of their activities, experience constant increased stress on the cardiovascular and muscular systems.
- Banana is a powerful source of energy, containing large amounts of sugars and other easily digestible carbohydrates that fill a person with strength. Its distinctive feature is its high calorie content, as a result of which nutritionists do not recommend including bananas in any form in the daily diet for people suffering from obesity and trying to get rid of excess weight.
- This southern fruit is important in a child’s nutrition. Its value in children's diets is easily explained by its good digestibility, chemical composition rich in nutrients, and the absence of the risk of allergies. Even small children can eat bananas, however, it is worth considering that the fiber they contain is poorly digested by humans until they reach the age of 3.
- The soothing and enveloping effect of banana pulp on the mucous membranes of the body allows you to get rid of heartburn. The fruit is also an excellent remedy for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases and helps accelerate the recovery processes occurring inside it.
- The substances contained in banana pulp strengthen bones and hair, and have a rejuvenating effect on the skin, so face masks and other cosmetics are produced based on this product. According to experts, the natural acids contained in the fruit moisturize the surface of the skin, making it firm and elastic, which women will appreciate.
- The beneficial effect of bananas on the nervous system is another serious plus in the treasury of their beneficial qualities. Regular consumption of the fruit allows you to forget about depression once and for all, making your character calmer and more balanced. And all because bananas are rich in so-called “joy hormones”, which, when introduced into the human body, improve his mood.
- There is no doubt about their benefits for the hematopoietic system, due to their high iron content. Including bananas in the diet allows you to slow down the natural aging process, increase the mental capabilities of the brain, speed up wound healing, and improve the digestibility of fats and proteins.
- The substances contained inside the fruit effectively neutralize and remove from the body harmful compounds inhaled by the lungs during the daily smoking process, so its consumption makes the task easier for those who have seriously decided to try to get rid of this addiction.
Experts talk about the beneficial properties of bananas
Doctors say that if you eat 2 bananas a day for the rest of your life, you can solve almost all your health problems.
The media writes about this.
By the way, in the USA they have known this for a long time: here it is the most popular fruit. Americans eat more bananas than the next most popular fruit (apples and oranges) combined.
Bananas are true superfoods. They are full of everything at once: nutrients, vitamins, natural sugars, fiber and a wide variety of beneficial minerals.
Here are the main advantages they provide:
Energy.
Eat a banana or two before training and you can energize yourself for an hour and a half.
Bananas are low-glycemic index foods: they digest slowly, provide energy, and contain no empty carbohydrates. They are also full of vitamins and fiber, which add stamina to the body. And the potassium they contain helps prevent muscle cramps.
Depression.
These fruits can really help you beat the autumn blues. The fact is that they contain large quantities of tryptophan, a substance that our body needs to synthesize serotonin.
The latter is a neurotransmitter that helps the brain relax, calm down and feel happy.
Blood pressure.
Bananas help lower blood pressure and effectively protect against strokes and heart attacks. Because they are low in sodium and high in potassium, and for the heart this ratio is critically important.
When plaque forms in the blood vessels, bananas along with exercise are the best way to get rid of them.
Anemia.
For people suffering from anemia, bananas help them get the right amounts of dietary iron. It stimulates the production of red blood cells and normalizes the hemoglobin process.
Nerves.
When you feel overly tired or burnt out, eat a banana. It will help temporarily raise blood sugar levels. This will give you energy.
In addition, bananas are full of B vitamins, which naturally calm the nervous system and help you relax.
Stomach upsets.
If you suffer from gastritis or stomach ulcers, then bananas are the safest food for you. They won't hurt because they have a smooth and soft texture. It evenly covers the gastric mucosa and protects it from irritation and exposure to aggressive acids.
This fruit is also an excellent thermostat. If you eat it on a hot day, it will help you cool down (lowers your body temperature). In winter, it helps normalize the temperature raised by the flu.
Acid-base balance.
Bananas are great for heartburn and acid reflux. Just one banana can provide soothing relief from the first symptoms of heartburn.
There are also many other amazing benefits that this fruit provides. Just take a couple of bananas with you to work next time. This is the best way to snack between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. Within a few days you will begin to notice that your life has begun to change!
Let us remind you that nutritionists have listed fast food that will not spoil your figure.
Composition of bananas
The beneficial properties of bananas are due to the varied chemical composition of the fruit. It contains a wide selection of compounds important for the human body such as:
- Potassium is responsible for the health of the heart and blood vessels, nourishes and strengthens the myocardium, maintains the elasticity and tone of vascular walls, and reduces the risk of problems with blood pressure. It is enough to eat one such fruit a day to forget about hypertension.
- Fiber - normalizes the functioning of the intestines and other organs of the digestive system, cleansing their delicate mucous walls of toxins, and has a mild laxative effect.
- Serotonin, also known as the “hormone of joy” or “hormone of happiness,” is a truly safe natural antidepressant that calms the nerves, allows you to relax after a stressful workday, and purposefully evokes positive emotions in a person.
Bananas contain almost no fat and protein, but are rich in vitamins and minerals - ascorbic acid, magnesium, calcium and others. Depending on the size, the calorie content of one fruit ranges from 70 to 100 kilocalories, or an average of 85 kilocalories.
Benefits of dried bananas
Today, dried bananas are becoming increasingly popular - sweet dried fruits that are an excellent delicacy. They are rich in potassium and other important chemicals that have a beneficial effect on the human brain and heart, hair and skin. Regular consumption of them allows you to get rid of anemia, problems with the digestive and cardiovascular systems, constipation, and toxins.
Eating dried bananas allows you to remove excess fluid from the body, getting rid of puffiness. The fibrous structure of their pulp has the most positive effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, stimulating digestive processes and improving the degree of absorption of food. Due to the large amount of fiber, this type of dried fruit has a slight laxative effect.
Dried banana is a product easily digestible by the human body, providing it with strength and energy, which is especially important for people who are fond of sports or who work in hard physical work. In addition, the fruit is rich in vitamin C, which makes it an excellent tool for strengthening the immune system, combating vitamin deficiency, preventing and treating viral and infectious diseases.
The benefits and harms of bananas for the body
Banana is a well-known tropical fruit that has long ceased to be exotic for Russians. We are so accustomed to it that we don’t even think about the benefits and harms of bananas.
Application
The overseas fruit is used not only in cooking, but also in medicine and cosmetology. Moreover, the inner surface of its peel cleans the surface of black leather shoes well, replacing the usual sponge. But still, what are the benefits and harms of bananas?
The nutritional value
Banana, like most fruits, is rich in minerals and vitamins. This is an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, E, PP, B (especially B6). It contains fiber and natural sugars. In addition, it is rich in ascorbic acid, which means it helps improve immunity. Banana is a high-carbohydrate sweet product, 100 g of which contains 90 kilocalories. As you can see, the benefits of bananas for the body are undeniable.
Banana dishes
Most often, the fruit acts as an independent dish, which perfectly satisfies hunger and is very suitable for quick snacks. But skilled chefs manage to prepare delicious treats from the fruit, and also add it to salads, baked goods, and hot dishes. The list of possible dishes will be endless. These are fried and stuffed bananas, fruit salads and cocktails, pancakes and cakes, muffins and donuts, jam and ice cream, souffles and creams. Thanks to bananas, beef, pork and chicken dishes acquire an original sweetish taste.
Application in cosmetology
Banana is a natural cosmetic product for facial care. The easiest way is to cut the fruit into circles and apply it to your face for ten to fifteen minutes. A popular folk remedy is a banana mask, to prepare which you need to mash the fruit until you get a homogeneous paste and add a spoonful of cream or milk. Apply the prepared mixture to clean skin, leave for about 15 minutes, then rinse with water. The mask improves color, nourishes and refreshes the face.
Are bananas healthy? What does medicine say?
Cardiologists suggest eating bananas for people with cardiovascular diseases to strengthen the heart muscle. In case of exacerbation of certain diseases of the digestive system, gastroenterologists recommend consuming these fruits as a gentle food. In folk medicine, banana peels are used to treat burns and inflammation of the skin.
Harm of bananas
Don’t think that a delicious tropical fruit is only beneficial. And bananas are also harmful in certain cases. First of all, you need to name an allergy, which can be caused by the fruit, as, indeed, by most fruits. Moreover, it is not recommended for diabetics due to its high sugar content and for people trying to lose weight. It is known that banana makes the blood more viscous, so it is contraindicated for those who have suffered a stroke in the near future. Fruit consumed in large quantities can cause bloating. It is not advisable to drink bananas with water and eat on an empty stomach. Unripe fruits contribute to indigestion due to their starch content. As we can see, the benefits outweigh. And the harm of bananas lies only in improper use.
Bananas contraindications
Despite the huge number of advantages, in some cases bananas can cause harm to the human body:
- They contain a high concentration of sugars, so their frequent consumption is categorically not recommended for people suffering from diabetes or those who are prone to obesity, as well as those trying to get rid of obesity.
- They should be consumed in moderation, since a large amount of pulp is difficult for the stomach and intestines to digest, especially when it comes to green bananas. Otherwise, you need to be prepared for such troubles as increased gas formation and bloating.
- You should not try to mix bananas with milk - in most cases, such a mixture will cause digestive upset in the shortest possible time, causing loose stools and other troubles.
- It is not advisable to give large amounts of this fruit to children under three years of age. Firstly, their digestive system is not yet well adapted to digest the fiber found in the pulp, and secondly, there is a risk of allergies.
- It is not recommended to eat bananas while pregnant or breastfeeding - sometimes such a diet can cause allergic reactions, kernicterus or hemolytic anemia in infants.
- You should also stop taking them for diseases such as thrombophlebitis, coronary heart disease, and increased blood clotting. People who have had a heart attack or stroke should also refrain from purchasing them.
You can often find green, unripe bananas on sale. Eating them is not the best solution. The fact is that instead of easily digestible sugars, they contain poorly soluble starch, the entry of which into the digestive organs causes bloating and flatulence. Having bought such fruits, you need to leave them to ripen for several days so that the starch has time to turn into sugar.
