Banana is amongst the most widely eaten fruits in the world today. Bananas belong to the family musaceae and are also one of the widely cultivated crops in the world. These are found in yellow, red and in brown colors with the yellow ones being the most common variety. Banana is very good for health, is easily digestible and packs a lot of energy within itself, in the form of natural sugars. It is one of the most popular snacks, especially those had after a workout. The reason is that it is quite filling, gets quickly released into the bloodstream, in the form of energy, and does not contain fats. The nutrients present in bananas help a person in fighting a number of ailments and keep him in good health. Muffins, smoothies, desserts, pudding and so on are some of the many ways to enjoy bananas. Read on further to get a complete idea about the nutritional value of banana and the nutrition benefits of eating the fruit.
Nutritional Value of Banana
Nutrient/100gm
|
Content
|
Energy
|
90 Kcal
|
Carbohydrates
|
22.84 g
|
Protein
|
1.09g
|
Total Fat
|
0.33 g
|
Cholesterol
|
0 mg
|
Dietary Fiber
|
2.60 g
|
Vitamins
|
Folates
|
20 µg
|
Niacin
|
0.665 mg
|
Pantothenic acid
|
0.334 mg
|
Pyridoxine
|
0.367 mg
|
Riboflavin
|
0.073 mg
|
Thiamin
|
0.031 mg
|
Vitamin A
|
64 IU
|
Vitamin C
|
8.7 mg
|
Vitamin E
|
0.10 mg
|
Vitamin K
|
0.5 µg
|
Electrolytes
|
Sodium
|
1 mg
|
Potassium
|
358 mg
|
Minerals
|
Calcium
|
5 mg
|
Copper
|
0.078 mg
|
Iron
|
0.26 mg
|
Magnesium
|
27 mg
|
Manganese
|
0.270 mg
|
Phosphorus
|
22 mg
|
Selenium
|
1.0 µg
|
Zinc
|
0.15 mg
|
Phyto-nutrients
|
Carotene-α
|
25 µg
|
Carotene-ß
|
26 µg
|
Lutein-zeaxanthin
|
22 µg
|
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Bananas
- The fiber content present in banana helps in lowering cholesterol level in the body.
- Banana helps in soothing an upset stomach and is also beneficial for those suffering from diarrhea.
- Bananas have been found to provide immediate relief to those having a hangover.
- Bananas is said to help in alleviation of problems associated with premenstrual symptoms.
- A milkshake of fresh bananas, non-fat frozen yogurt and honey is said to ease headache and hydrate the body.
- The vitamins and minerals present in a banana make it a good post-exercise snack.
- The potassium content in banana regulates blood chemistry (particularly Ph) and prevents it from becoming too acidic.
- The magnesium content of a banana helps a person in recovering from fatigue.
- Bananas have also been associated with brain stimulation.
It has been found that bananas have positive effect in relation to the following ailments:
- Anemia
- Blood Pressure
- Bowel Problems
- Constipation
- Depression
- Heart Problems
- Morning Sickness
- Nervous Disorders
- Stress
- Ulcers
Buying & Storing Tips
- Fresh bananas are free of brown spots, bruises and discoloration.
- Choose bananas that are firm and bright yellow.
- The stems and tips of bananas need to be intact, or else they will spoil quickly.
- You can store ripe bananas in the fridge.
- Bananas can also be kept in the frozen state for almost 2 months.
Tips For Preparing Banana
Bananas with green skin are not yet ripe and can be consumed once they turn yellow. When exposed to air, the flesh of the bananas can become brown. Avoid this by brushing the flesh of bananas with lemon juice. To make the bananas ripen faster, wrap them in a newspaper or else place them in a paper bag. You can broil, poach, bake or even consume it raw.
How To Enjoy
- Banana slices can be smeared with peanut butter and trickled with honey on each slice of wheat bread to make a nice and warm breakfast.
- Mix chopped bananas, oats, milk and honey or maple syrup and sprinkle with walnuts.
- Enjoy a banana latte prepared from milk, sliced frozen bananas, cocoa and cinnamon.