Benefits of Banana- Nutritious and medicinal
A banana is a tropical fruit characterized by its elongated shape and yellow skin when ripe. It typically grows in clusters on large herbaceous plants belonging to the genus Musa.
There are many types of banana:
Cavendish:
This is the most common type of banana found in supermarkets worldwide. It's known for its yellow color when ripe, mild flavor, and slightly sweet taste.
Lady Finger (also known as Sugar Bananas or Baby Bananas):
These area petite variety which is smaller and sweeter than the Cavendish variety. They have a delicate flavor and creamy texture.
Plantains:
Unlike dessert bananas, plantains are starchy and are typically cooked before eating. They are often used in savory dishes or fried as a side dish.
Red Bananas:
These bananas have a reddish-purple skin when ripe and are sweeter and creamier than the Cavendish variety.
Burro Bananas:
These bananas have a blocky shape and a tangy flavor with hints of lemon.
Manzano Bananas (Apple Bananas):
They are shorter and thicker than the Cavendish variety with a creamy texture and sweet, apple-like flavor.
Blue Java Bananas (Ice Cream Bananas):
These bananas have a creamy texture and taste similar to vanilla ice cream. They are often eaten fresh.
Pisang Raja (King Banana):
A popular variety in Southeast Asia, Pisang Raja bananas have a distinct sweet flavor and are often eaten ripe.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more banana varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and flavor profiles.
When ripe, bananas have a soft, creamy flesh with a sweet flavor.
Bananas are versatile, eaten directly when ripe, used in desserts, smoothies, and even savory dishes.
In some parts of the world, some varieties which are not ripe, are boiled, steamed or roasted and taken as the starchy portion of a meal.
The banana we are talking about in this article is the ripe one which is taken directly without cooking.
There is evidence that the nutrient levels in bananas go up as they ripen.
Bananas are the most versatile of all fruits which is an ideal finger food for young children because it is easily digested and rarely causes allergies.
Bananas are rich in nutrients, Vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, B1, B2, E and folates. They are also rich in minerals especially potassium, magnesium and iron.
They contain small amounts of serotonin which is an amino acid and also tryptophan, carbohydrates and Fiber, making them a popular and nutritious snack worldwide.
Implications of the nutrients found in banana
The nutrients mentioned above have several implications when ingested in the body. For example, lack of B6 in a diet can cause weakness, irritability and insomnia.
Vitamin B6 also helps metabolize more than 60 proteins and assists in red blood cell production that transports oxygen to muscles.
The other B Vitamins will help calm the nervous system as well as energy production within the heart muscle.
Bananas give you 17% of your Daily Value of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals (harmful waste products) in your body and helps produce collagen, the building block of the connective tissues such as tendons and cartilage that keep your knees strong and your skin taut and smooth.
According to research in 'The New England Journal of Medicine' eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Potassium is also essential for helping muscles to contract properly during exercise and reduces cramping up. A 9 inches in length banana has 602 mg of potassium and only carries 140 calories. The banana's magnesium plays a role in energy transport and is involved in the synthesis of protein, which helps you recover from fatigue.
Folate is needed for proper tissue growth, and can protect against birth defects, heart disease, and cancer. Fiber in your diet has important benefits including reducing cholesterol, improving blood sugar control, and lowering risk of heart disease. It has a positive effect on the digestive system by helping to maintain regularity and reduce risk of diverticulitis and hernias.
From what it contains it can be seen that the banana is a natural remedy for many ills:
Benefits of eating bananas
Bananas are rich in iron, which is essential for the production of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Additionally, they contain vitamin C, which enhances iron absorption, thereby helping to prevent anemia.
Asthma
A 2007 study suggested that eating bananas might help prevent wheezing in children with asthma. One reason for this could be the antioxidant and potassium content of bananas and due to their rich content of vitamin B6, magnesium, and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and support lung function. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Blood Pressure
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt. This combination is very beneficial when it comes to lowering blood pressure, preventing, heart arrhythmia and stroke.
In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power:
Research has revealed that bananas boost brain power through their high potassium content, which supports optimal nerve function, aiding in better cognitive performance and focus. Additionally, bananas contain vitamin B6, which helps the body produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, crucial for mood regulation and cognitive function.
Lastly, the natural sugars and carbohydrates in bananas provide a quick energy boost to the brain, enhancing alertness and mental clarity. It is therefore beneficial for pupils to take bananas so that their brain power is boosted
Burns and wounds.
By beating a ripe banana into a pasty substance, and spreading it over a burn or wound, it can give immediate pain relief! The banana paste should be covered by a cloth bandage for best results. Even the leaves of a banana tree can be used as a cool compress for burns or wounds.
Constipation and diarrhea relief
Bananas are beneficial for both constipation and diarrhea relief due to their high fiber content, which can help regulate bowel movements by adding bulk to stools or absorbing excess water in the digestive tract. Bananas also contain pectin, a soluble fiber that can help alleviate diarrhea by firming up loose stools and soothing irritated intestines. The potassium content in bananas also helps replenish electrolytes lost during bouts of diarrhea, aiding in rehydration and restoring normal bowel function.
When it ripens, the starch in banana is converted to sucrose, glucose and fructose which are released quickly into the bloodstream, giving instant energy.
Research has found out that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. So whenever you are low on energy, eat a banana.
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heart-burn:
Bananas can help alleviate heartburn as they are a natural antacid, which can neutralize stomach acid. Their smooth texture coats the lining of the esophagus, providing soothing relief from irritation. Furthermore, bananas contain potassium, which may help regulate stomach acid levels and reduce the frequency of heartburn episodes.
Morning Sickness:
Bananas are a great choice for alleviating morning sickness due to their mild flavor and easy digestibility, which can help settle the stomach. They are rich in vitamin B6, which has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. The natural sugars in bananas, also provide a quick energy boost, helping combat fatigue often experienced during morning sickness.
Mosquito bites:
Banana peel has soothing properties that can help alleviate itching and reduce inflammation caused by mosquito bites. Applying the inner side of a banana peel to the affected area can provide relief due to its cooling effect and the presence of antioxidants like vitamin C. Furthermore, the compounds such as histamine and dopamine in the peel may help reduce discomfort and promote faster healing of the skin.
So, before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Reducing Depression
Bananas can help depression because they contain tryptophan which is a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Stress Relief
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. They can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. The B Vitamins in the banana also help in combating stress.
Bananas contain natural mood-enhancing compounds like dopamine and serotonin, which can promote feelings of relaxation and well-being. The carbohydrates in bananas provide a quick energy boost, helping to combat feelings of fatigue often associated with stress.
Ulcers
Bananas are one of the only fruits that can be safely consumed by ulcer patients. Bananas neutralize the acidity of gastric juices, thus reducing ulcer irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. This it does by stimulating the stomach's production of protective mucus which helps to prevent harsh acids from touching the tender stomach lining, causing an ulcer.
It has been found that the protease inhibitor found in bananas appears to kill the harmful bacteria that help to cause ulcers.
Some people swear that, if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
Banana peels contain enzymes and acids that may help soften and dissolve warts over time. Applying a piece of banana peel to the affected area and securing it with a bandage can promote the breakdown of the wart. The natural oils in the peel can also moisturize the skin and potentially support the healing process.
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.
When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best valued foods around! With so many medical benefits, bananas are quickly becoming the most popular fruit around the world. Make bananas part of your daily diet!
