Tuesday, February 22

Going Bananas


 Taken from Google.

A few days ago, I stumbled on a blog on how she was fascinated with bananas. Back home in San Pedro, my mom always buys banana as a dessert after our meal or a snack. She believed that a banana packs a lot of nutrients that is beneficial to our health. 

I googled on banana and I got several links. One link that really got my attention was this.

I'll share to you some facts about bananas XD. 

Health Benefits of Bananas


Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy
Reducing Depression
Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood
Anemia
Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function
 
Constipation and Diarrhea
Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.
 
Eyesight Protection
Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
 
Healthy Bones
Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce enzymes that increase our digestive ability and protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharides, probiotic bacteria can increase both in number and functionality, increasing our body's ability to absorb calcium.  
In addition, green bananas contain indigestible short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are very nutrient to the cells that make up the mucosa of the stomach. These cells, when healthy, absorb calcium much more efficiently
 
Healthy Kidney
About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year. Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective. Women eating bananas four to six times a week halved their risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not eat this fruit. The conclusion of the study is that frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds, while cabbage is rich in sulfur, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.
 
Blood Pressure
Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
 
Heartburn
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
 
Morning Sickness
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
 
Smoking
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
 
Ulcers
This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.
 
Nerves
Bananas are high in B vitamins that have been shows to improve nerve function
 
Mosquito Bites
Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling
 
Stress Relief
Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs
 
Stroke Risk
According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%

Bananas Nutrition Facts


Refuse: 36% (Skin)
Scientific Name:  Musa X paradisiaca
NDB No: 09040 (Nutrient values and weights are for edible portion)


Nutrient Units Value per
100 grams
Number
of Data
Points
Std.
Error
Proximates
Water g 74.91 20 0.286
Energy kcal 89 0
Energy kj 371 0
Protein g 1.09 12 0.022
Total lipid (fat) g 0.33 19 0.067
Ash g 0.82 12 0.03
Carbohydrate, by difference g 22.84 0
Fiber, total dietary g 2.6 13 0.129
Sugars, total g 12.23 8 1.034
Sucrose g 2.39 8 0.546
Glucose (dextrose) g 4.98 8 0.806
Fructose g 4.85 8 0.658
Lactose g 0.00 8 0
Maltose g 0.01 8 0.014
Galactose g 0.00 8 0
Starch g 5.38 8 0.564
Minerals
Calcium, Ca mg 5 45 0.047
Iron, Fe mg 0.26 42 0.001
Magnesium, Mg mg 27 45 0.475
Phosphorus, P mg 22 45 0.171
Potassium, K mg 358 45 1.911
Sodium, Na mg 1 45 0.395
Zinc, Zn mg 0.15 45 0.001
Copper, Cu mg 0.078 45 0.011
Manganese, Mn mg 0.270 45 0.007
Fluoride, F mcg 2.2 1
Selenium, Se mcg 1.0 31 0.289
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid mg 8.7 8 0.434
Thiamin mg 0.031 12 0.006
Riboflavin mg 0.073 12 0.008
Niacin mg 0.665 12 0.002
Pantothenic acid mg 0.334 12 0.01
Vitamin B-6 mg 0.367 12 0.01
Folate, total mcg 20 11 0.472
Folic acid mcg 0 0
Folate, food mcg 20 11 0.472
Folate, DFE mcg_DFE 20 0
Choline, total mg 9.8 0
Betaine mg 0.1 1
Vitamin B-12 mcg 0.00 0
Vitamin B-12, added mcg 0.00 0
Vitamin A, IU IU 64 0
Vitamin A, RAE mcg_RAE 3 0
Retinol mcg 0 0
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) mg 0.10 15 0.054
Vitamin E, added mg 0.00 0
Tocopherol, beta mg 0.00 15 0
Tocopherol, gamma mg 0.02 15 0.015
Tocopherol, delta mg 0.01 15 0.01
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) mcg 0.5 6 0.075
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated g 0.112 0
4:0 g 0.000 0
6:0 g 0.000 0
8:0 g 0.000 0
10:0 g 0.001 4
12:0 g 0.002 4
14:0 g 0.002 4
16:0 g 0.102 5
18:0 g 0.005 5
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated g 0.032 0
16:1 undifferentiated g 0.010 5
18:1 undifferentiated g 0.022 5
20:1 g 0.000 0
22:1 undifferentiated g 0.000 0
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated g 0.073 0
18:2 undifferentiated g 0.046 5
18:3 undifferentiated g 0.027 5
18:4 g 0.000 0
20:4 undifferentiated g 0.000 0
20:5 n-3 g 0.000 0
22:5 n-3 g 0.000 0
22:6 n-3 g 0.000 0
Cholesterol mg 0 0
Phytosterols mg 16 0
Amino acids
Tryptophan g 0.009 0
Threonine g 0.028 0
Isoleucine g 0.028 0
Leucine g 0.068 0
Lysine g 0.050 0
Methionine g 0.008 0
Cystine g 0.009 0
Phenylalanine g 0.049 0
Tyrosine g 0.009 0
Valine g 0.047 0
Arginine g 0.049 0
Histidine g 0.077 0
Alanine g 0.040 0
Aspartic acid g 0.124 0
Glutamic acid g 0.152 0
Glycine g 0.038 0
Proline g 0.028 0
Serine g 0.040 0
Other
Alcohol, ethyl g 0.0 0
Caffeine mg 0 0
Theobromine mg 0 0
Carotene, beta mcg 26 10 2.167
Carotene, alpha mcg 25 8 4.438
Cryptoxanthin, beta mcg 0 6 0
Lycopene mcg 0 6 0
Lutein + zeaxanthin mcg 22 6 2.52

If you want to know more, just click on the link above. XD

15 comments:

  1. I love bananas too. Not only for the taste, but for what they stand for... Ay, caramba! I'm getting frisky again...hehe

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  2. I was thinking of getting a banana later after lunch. Now I'm really getting one. :B

    -V3ronic4 L4ur3l

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  3. Banana may not be a complete food but rich naman in fiber and nutrients. We have enough stock at home of this magical fruit which I treat more of a snack :)

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  4. a banana a day will keep the doctor away.. i love bananas!
    - Sionee

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  5. Love bananas, we always have it on the dining table.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! I love bananas. My mom would always buy me those lakatan bananas. hehe

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  7. source of potassium ang banana..anti cramps sa mga players like me

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  8. Grabe hindi ka lang pogi Mark resourceful ka pa. Makakain na nga ng saging. Salamat ha!

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  9. I have Idiopathic Hypokalemic Paralysis and my doctor advice me to eat 2 banana after every meal. It helped a lot I can say but sometimes when my potassium is very low I need my Kalium Durule to avoid paralysis and for faster recovery.

    Here's the link of my story.
    http://misexperienciaspersonales.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/idiopathic-hypokalemic-paralysis/

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  10. My pals who are on a diet swear by Bananas! I also read something on FHM about the wonders of bananas, but I'd rather not say it here. :))

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  11. this is really a must have.... i've heard many stories of people dying because of potassium deficiency...

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  12. kung mababasa lang sana to ng karamihan, magbabago talaga ang tingin nila sa saging :D

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  13. banana daw ay pede ng ipalit sa apple mura pa, ang alam ko tayyu ang pinakamalaking producer ng banana

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  14. Before I knew the numerous nutrients which banana has, I used to have this in every meal we've. In reality I don't know the high nutritious value of it. The only thing I know why I love to eat banana for its yummy taste. Now I know. There's no reason why I should not include it in our list of day-to-day food to eat.

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  15. read this over the forwarded email! from then on, we are never out of bananas! :)

    ReplyDelete

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