Bananas, What More Do We Need?

Why would anyone want to avoid a food as delicious and healthy as the banana?

Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps our muscles to contract, it allows our blood pressure to remain healthy, and it boosts our immunity. What's not to like? They taste good, are rich in fiber, low in fat, in sodium and in sugar. Bananas have a big punch when you are looking for energy. They pack 30 grams of both fast and slow carbohydrates into that wonderful yellow banana skin. It is both quick release and well as a long sustained energy. Endurance and focus are both improved during the work effort after eating the banana.

The fiber in bananas is surprisingly helpful in weight management. The banana produces a feeling of fullness for the stomach, you will not feel the need to eat more. The digestion is slowed down, as is the absorption of those carbohydrates, this allows for a slow and long release of energy. And they are virtually fat free!

Bananas contain Vitamin C, which helps in healing, mineral absorption, and blood cell formation. Bananas also contain vitamin B6 which helps the body make antibodies boosting the immune system. B6 helps the body with protein metabolism, nervous system function and the formation of red blood cells. That pretty freckled yellow skin also holds the flesh that contains a good dose of potassium, which helps the kidneys maintain fluid balance and helps the nerves to send impulses to make our muscles work more efficiently. They are a good source of magnesium which helps to regulate the heart, this keeps the rest of the body functioning at it's best. Foliate, long known to enhance the development of healthy babies, has also been connected to the reduction of homocysteine. Homocystine is an amino acid found in small amounts healthy blood. "There is evidence that an elevated homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The evidence suggests that high levels of homocysteine may damage coronary arteries or make it easier for blood clotting cells called platelets to clump together and form a clot," according to Wikipedia.

Bananas are about seventy five percent water, which helps to give the feeling of fullness with out an excess of calories. Speaking of calories, bananas hold about 90 calories in 100 grams (compare this to butter which has about 700 calories to 100 grams), mashed and spread on bread they are a far better diet choice than that beloved butter.

Bananas are rich in pectin, a fiber, which helps to bulk the stool and avoid diarrhea. At the same time the banana's fiber makes the stool easier to move through the colon helping to avoid constipation. In this case the banana is truly an adaptogen. It either slows or speeds the colon's movement, depending on need.

Bananas can be refrigerated without loss of nutrition, refrigeration will however turn the banana's skin black. They can also be frozen and kept for a few months in or out of their skins. Eaten frozen they make a great summer time treat.

The price of food being what it is today bananas make good sense. They are a powerhouse of good nutrition in a bio-degradable, low priced, single portion package. What more could we want?

Chiquita.com was used as a reference.