Bananas are one of the most popular fruits that nearly went extinct due to Panama disease. The reason we almost lost them was because basically only one variety was grown since it was the most favorite type for people around the world. Fortunately, the agricultural experts studied the problem of how to adapt the banana for climate change and become more disease resistant. Otherwise, we could have lost more than just that delicious taste of bananas, but the many health benefits that this one fruit provides.
The first is probably the most obvious with the nutritional value of the banana in regard to health benefits. To begin with, you can look to a banana for its potassium that can help with cardiovascular health. The reason this one mineral is so equipped to do that is because it is an electrolyte that helps with the body’s electrical signals to nerve cells and heart function. At the same time, potassium can help with keeping blood pressure better regulated since this mineral has the ability to flush out excess sodium as well.
A banana is also important for digestive related problems from stomach ailments such as Crohn’s disease, antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. The type of starch in the banana is more likely to stay in the digestive track to help with gut healing to bloating.
Did you know that the banana may help inflammation like ibuprofen? There was an interesting study that pointed to how the banana targeted an enzyme known as COX-2 mRNA just in the same way as an ibuprofen worked on it for helping with inflammation. Bananas and water could be safer on stomachs for athletics that depend on ibuprofen for this.
If you’re feeling extra stressed or anxious, the banana has tryptophan for mood-boosting carbohydrates and vitamin B6 that can change the brain into producing the happier hormone of serotin.
Unable to sleep, you just might want to try a banana as a bedtime snack for its health benefits. With its potassium and magnesium, this fruit can help tense muscles relax while its happiness inducer of tryptophan sends calming signals to the brain to usher in sleep.
Bananas also can help with weight loss if you are trying to watch your diet. After all, a medium size banana has only 100 calories. Besides its natural source of carbohydrates, it also gives you vitamins B6 and C, fiber, manganese, magnesium in addition to its potassium to fuel energy.
After a strenuous workout, you may grab a sports drink and a power bar. However, adding a banana along with water could better help with metabolic recovery, related pain, and valuable nutrients.
It is no wonder that the American Medical Association has labeled this fruit as the first superfood. The next time you are hungry, you just may want to start thinking about reaching for a banana for all the health benefits it offers!
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