Go Bananas

An email about the benefits of bananas recently arrived in my inbox. Bananas were touted to cure everything from premenstrual syndrome to hangovers and could even shine shoes. While some of the claims are not based on hard, scientific evidence, bananas are certainly a food worthy of attention and addition to our daily diet. Antonius Musa, personal physician to Roman emperor, Octavius Augustus, is credited with promoting cultivation of this African fruit during the first century BC. Bananas found their way to the United States in the 1800’s. The benefits of bananas listed below are based on the consumption of one banana, not the whole bunch. Remember-moderation is the key to anything in the diet.

• A banana contains about 6 grams of dietary fiber which is 16% of our daily requirement. Couple the fiber with a low calorie count and bananas can be a part of a weight loss diet.
• Bananas do not contain sodium, fat or cholesterol.
• The Vitamin C, which is found in bananas, helps the body to defend and heal against infections. This vitamin also proves valuable in the synthesis of the connective tissue, absorption of iron and the formation of blood.
• Bananas also contain potassium, a mineral that helps in the building of muscles and protein synthesis.
• A diet rich in potassium is said to reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. They are a great supplement for individuals taking a diuretic or other medication that could deplete potassium from the body.
• Bananas are a good source of magnesium and iron.
• Bananas contain three natural sugars, sucrose, fructose and glucose along with fiber. A banana thus gives an instant and substantial boost of energy.
• A banana contains Vitamin B6, which helps in the synthesis of antibodies in the immune system apart from red blood formation, protein metabolism and functioning of the central nervous system.
• No other fruit contains more digestible carbohydrates than bananas.

Bananas also come in a handy, protective container that is easy to open. So, if you are running late in the morning, feeling that afternoon slump or need a nutritious snack for the kids, grab a banana. It’s a healthy choice!

Last updated: 2009-04-07