The Composition of Bananas
I eat at least one banana almost every day, no smoothie is without it, I add it to oatmeal or casserole, take it with me on the road as a snack. In my recent article about bodybuilder-vegan Robert Cheek, he told me that he eats 8 bananas a day, which of course is an extreme example. After this article, I decided to take a closer look at these foods and figure out what the benefits of bananas for the human body.Bananas are considered a caloric product - every 100 grams contain 91 kilocalories.
Bananas are native to the tropical Indomalayan zone, and the history of its cultivation dates back to 4,000,400. And for good reason, bananas have stood the test of time: we all know how delicious and nourishing they are. Even consuming bananas alone during the day, you get a variety of nutrients, among which potassium and magnesium occupy a special place. But in addition, bananas are also extremely healthy. Here's what they give us.
What are bananas good for your body?
I have highlighted for myself separately the most useful properties of bananas for the human body:
1. Powerful energy boost + nutritional value
Just two bananas will give you enough energy for an hour and a half workout! It is therefore not surprising that marathon runners and rock climbers often choose bananas as their snack. In addition, they have a high nutritional value.
2. Protection against stroke
Studies show that a daily intake of 1.6 grams of potassium (about three bananas) can reduce the risk of stroke by 21 percent, so bananas are extremely beneficial for people with high blood pressure. The cells of a person with high blood pressure tend to be deficient in potassium ions with excessive amounts of sodium ions. This can lead to excessive accumulation of water in the body, which also increases blood pressure. So by including bananas and other foods rich in potassium and magnesium in your diet, you are helping to remove excess sodium ions from your body while stabilizing your blood pressure.The heart benefits of bananas, as you can see, are undeniable.
The magnesium found in bananas also helps beat feelings of fatigue, boosts your mood and gives you physical strength.
3. Just Happiness!
Scientists know that in order for a person to feel happy, his brain needs a sufficient amount of neurotransmitters, among which is serotonin. The lack of this "happiness" makes us grumpy, tired, makes us suffer from insomnia. Bananas literally send us positive vibes thanks to the tryptophan they contain.
4. Combat excess weight
Fibre-rich lettuce contributes to a quality colon cleansing, while activating the growth of beneficial bacteria in its microflora, which is also important for normalizing stools. In addition, bananas are a starchy product, and therefore they keep you feeling full for a long time.
5. Cooling down during the heat.
Naturopathic practitioners refer to bananas as a "cooling" fruit, making them extremely suitable for those who live in tropical countries or suffer from summer heat. Bananas are also effective in treating hemorrhoids or constipation caused by internal overheating.
I recently learned about "cooling" foods thanks to my Chinese babysitter. Not too long ago my second son was born, and I was amazed at how much easier and more comfortable the birth was, and the two months after, calmer and quieter (in terms of baby crying). I owe much of this increased level of happiness to the special Chinese nanny we hired to help for the first three months of the baby's life.
She promised me that a special diet would be able to adjust the production of milk, overcome the baby's tummy problems, and make me relaxed, satisfied and happy. Despite my skepticism about her promises, she managed to deliver 100%.
During the restriction period, moms are advised to follow a certain diet. This diet is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and the theory that all foods can generate either "hot" energy in the body (correlates with the Chinese concept of yang) or "cold" energy (correlates with the concept of yin).Warming foods are said to like hot sun, are sweet or spicy, "dry" or "hard", rich in fat and sodium. And "cooling" foods grow in little sunlight, are lean, "moist" and "soft", and rich in potassium.
Some "cooling" foods are: Bananas, pears, grapefruit, persimmon, watermelon, tangerine, strawberries, pineapple, tomatoes, Chinese bitter gourd, lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli and cauliflower, zucchini, radishes, lotus root, seaweed, turmeric, marjoram, mint, sugarcane, barley, soybean curd, chicken egg white, yogurt, clams and crabs.
Some "warming" foods: Cherries, raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, mangoes, grapes, chestnuts, grapefruit, peaches, garlic, leeks, shallots, green onions, soybean oil, vinegar, walnuts, apricot kernels, pepper (seasoning), cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar, coffee, nutmeg, basil, cloves, coriander, chicken, ham, lamb, shrimp.
Benefits of bananas for the male body
Let's elaborate on the health benefits of bananas for men.
Men need two to four servings of fresh fruit every day, depending on their age and activity level. One large banana, which contains 120 calories, provides the body with nutrients that affect male fertility and promote heart health.
A banana contains 0.5 mg of vitamin B-6, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (according to a University of Maryland study). Such vitamin benefits in a banana will be beneficial, of course, including for women.
It also contains manganese, which helps in the development of connective tissue. This can be especially important for people who play sports or lead an active lifestyle. Manganese also plays a role in male fertility.
The benefits of bananas for the female body
There is a perception that women are more likely to experience the symptom of constipation than men. One banana contains about 3.5 grams of fiber, which can regulate intestinal function and improve digestion.
Among the health benefits of bananas for women who would like to lose some weight, we can once again mention the nutritional value of this fruit. Eat bananas, snack on them, add them to already prepared dishes, and the problem of overeating will disappear by itself.
How to choose a banana correctly
It is not recommended to eat raw bananas for people suffering from diarrhea, flatulence and nephritis (kidney dysfunction), coughing and swelling during pregnancy. But if the fruit is steamed to get rid of its "cooling" properties, people with the ailments listed above may well eat them and appreciate the useful properties of bananas for the stomach.
In addition, excessive consumption of bananas can lead to a significant decrease in the secretion of gastric acid and, as a consequence, gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, you should not eat bananas on an empty stomach.
Bananas are convenient to take with you to snack on the road or at work. But also in many recipes for breakfasts, baked goods and smoothies they will find a worthy place! Try making oatmeal with banana for breakfast, for example.
Useful banana recipes
Oatmeal with Banana
This oatmeal and banana recipe will help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, provide you with fiber and nutrients, and energize you for the day.
Ingredients:
oat flakes - 50 g,
vegetable milk - 350 ml (can be replaced with water),
bananas - 1 / 2 pc,
Raisins and goji berries - to taste,
Organic honey - to taste.
Preparation
Pour the vegetable milk (or water) into a saucepan.
Add the oats and cook over a low heat.
Chop a banana and add it to the pot a few minutes before the porridge is ready.
If desired, you can add raisins or goji berries for flavor and consistency.
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