There’s not a lot of fruit out there that can match the amazing benefits and versatility of bananas. Rich in potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and fiber, they pack a great nutritional punch. One banana is about 100 calories with 24 grams of carbs. It even has some protein! Come on people, as far as fruit goes, bananas are awesome!
Most of us, even the ones who don’t need to watch their weight, still need to eat a low to moderate glycemic diet. It is extremely beneficial to keep your blood levels from spiking and then crashing. Bananas are a perfect fruit for that. Banana’s glycemic index falls between 30 (for unripe) to 60 (for ripe) which makes them an ideal fruit to consume.
Bananas contain two kinds of fiber, pectin and resistant starch. Both are beneficial for your intestine health. Resistant starch doesn’t get digested and goes straight to the large intestine helping feed your good bacteria. Pectin absorbs toxins and gets rid of them through normal digestion process. Studies have shown that pectin may help protect against colon cancer.
If you are trying to lose weight, you need to include bananas in your diet. With only 100 calories, banana is very satisfying. A great source of fiber, it’s nutritious and even reduces appetite. Among many other benefits, bananas contain a few very potent antioxidants (dopamine and catechins) which have been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and other degenerative diseases.
In terms of exercise benefits, bananas are unparallel. Bananas are often a preferred food because they are easily digested carbs. Gentle on the stomach, they help reduce gastric distress during long distance endurance training and decrease exercise related cramping. As a matter of fact, you can eat bananas before, during and after an endurance routine.
I know it’s not always easy to add more nutrition to your life but seriously, bananas make it super easy. Just grab and go!