Healing Foods Database » Bananas

Bananas

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A banana is an edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called “plantains”, distinguishing them from dessert bananas

Health Benefits

  • Bananas are good for your heart. They are packed with potassium, a mineral electrolyte that keeps electricity flowing throughout your body, which is required to keep your heart beating. Bananas' high potassium and low sodium content may also help protect your cardiovascular system against high blood pressure, according to the FDA.

  • Bananas can be helpful in overcoming depression "due to high levels of tryptophan, which the body converts to serotonin, the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter," Flores said. Plus, vitamin B6 can help you sleep well, and magnesium helps to relax muscles. Additionally, the tryptophan in bananas is well known for its sleep-inducing properties. 

  • Bananas are high in fiber, which can help keep you regular. One banana can provide nearly 10 percent of your daily fiber requirement. Vitamin B6 can also help protect against type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss, according to Flores. In general, bananas are a great weight loss food because they taste sweet and are filling, which helps curb cravings.

  • For replenishing energy and electrolytes, bananas can be more effective than sports drinks. A 2012 study published in PLOS One looked at male athletes competing in long-distance cycling races. They compared athletes refueling with Gatorade every 15 minutes to athletes refueling with a banana and water. Researchers saw that the athletes' performance times and body physiology were the same in both cases. But the banana's serotonin and dopamine improved the athletes' antioxidant capacity and helped with oxidative stress, improving performance overall. 

Nutrition Details

  • Potassium
    • Amount per serving: 422mg
    • Serving size: 1 medium-sized banana
  • Vitamin A
    • Amount per serving: 1%
    • Serving size: 1 medium-sized banana
  • Vitamin C
    • Amount per serving: 17%
    • Serving size: 1 medium-sized banana
  • Iron
    • Amount per serving: 1%
    • Serving size: 1 medium-sized banana
  • Vitamin B-6
    • Amount per serving: 20%
    • Serving size: 1 medium-sized banana
  • Magnesium
    • Amount per serving: 8%
    • Serving size: 1 medium-sized banana

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Sources

Generally, we try to use only the following sources to obtain information for our Healing Foods Database:

Please Note:

We always recommend organic, local foods and all of the information contained in our healing foods database is based on organic varieties of each healing food you find here.

Description Credit: Wikipedia. Wikipedia is used only for general food descriptions and we do not endorse Wikipedia as a source for other health-related information.