This exotic fruit is among the oldest and most know in the world, is found in all seasons and tastes sweet and aromatic. It is very good to know that bananas has important nutrients that can improve our health.
Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, an essential mineral that keeps our normal blood pressure and proper function of the heart. Because it contains 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day helps to increase blood pressure and protects against atherosclerosis.
It has been proved that those who have a diet rich in potassium, and they also consumed foods high in magnesium and fiber, has a substantial reduction in the risk of making a heart attack.
A large banana (25 cm) contains 602 mg of potassium and only 140 calories, 2g of protein, 4g of fiber and 36 grams of carbohydrate. No wonder the banana is considered an important food for healthy children.
Some medicinal uses of banana:
Gastric Ulcer – A long time ago were recognized the antacids effects of bananas, which protects against stomach ulcers and diseases triggered by ulcer. According to a study, a simple mixture of banana and milk is a significant suppression of acid secretion.
Anemia – Rich in iron, bananas stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood, helping in cases of anemia.
Improve Eyesight – When you were a child your parents told you to eat carrots for healthy eyes and vision, but the adult person need more fruits to maintain a good vision. The consumption of 3 or more fruits per day may prevent macular degeneration, the first cause of vision loss in the elderly.
Blood Pressure – This tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium but low in salt, is perfect for those who have problems with blood pressure and have an increased risk of stroke.
Protects Bones – Frequent consumption of bananas as part of a healthy diet, helps the body absorb calcium better and so your bones will be healthy and strong for longer. Bananas are a great source of components of probiotic bacteria which are friendly to our colon. These beneficial bacteria produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve the assimilation of nutrients, but also have the property of strengthening the immune system.
Increases Ability to Concentrate – Research has shown that students who ate 3 bananas during the day with every meal, have obtained better results in exams, and this is due to large amounts of potassium found in banana, which improves memory function.
Kidney Protection – Among risk factors of developing kidney cancer are found: smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and exposure to toxic substances (asbestos, cadmium). Thus, consumption of plenty of fruits and vegetables each month reduces the risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among other fruits, bananas offers the greatest protection for the kidney. Among vegetables, cabbage and root vegetables offer the best protection, and kidney cancer is reduced by 50-60%.
Bananas have these properties because they have a high content of phenolic acid, and cabbage is rich in sulfur, which helps detoxify the body. Together they form a blend of phytonutrients very helpful in protecting our kidney function.
Depression – According to a recent study on people suffering from depression, most said they feel better after eating a banana, this is because bananas contain trytophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, a substance known to cause relaxation, improve mood, etc..
Stress – Potassium is a vital mineral substance, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and maintain a constant amount of water in the body. When you are stressed, your metabolism speeds up and decreases potassium levels – but this can be brought to normal by eating bananas.