Why to eat more Banana

Bananas are among the most popular fruits on earth. They are extremely healthy and delicious and contain several essential nutrients, and have benefits for heart health, digestion and also weight loss. Bananas which are unripe are rich in fiber called pectin and contain resistant starch both these moderate blood sugar levels after a meal. Each banana contains 105 calories and consists almost exclusively of water and carbs. The carbs in unripe bananas consist mostly of resistance starch but as the banana ripens, the starch turns into sugar (glucose, fructose, and sucrose).

Here are 8 health benefits of bananas.

1. Boost energy: A medium ripe banana contains natural sugars like sucrose, fructose, and glucose, they provide instant energy when consumed.

2. Powerful anti-oxidants: Bananas contain several types of potent antioxidants, including dopamine and catechins, which may help reduce damage from free radicals and lower the risk of some disease.

3. Help in weight loss: Bananas have several features that should make them a weight loss friendly food. They are low in calories, high in fiber and resistant starch which have an appetite- reducing effects.

4. Improve digestion: Bananas are fairly rich in fiber and starch which may feed the friendly gut bacteria and help protect against colon cancer. Bananas normalize the bowel functions and are helpful in diarrhea and constipation.

5. Support heart health: The fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas support heart health. A potassium and magnesium rich diet helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

6. Moderates blood sugar levels: Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels. One medium banana provides 3 grams of fiber and contain resistant starch which moderates blood sugar levels

7. Healthy bones: Banana rich in potassium helps in calcium absorption and reduces calcium deficiency and thereby decreasing the risk of osteoporosis.

8. Improves brain function and improves mood: The amino acid in banana called tryptophan helps in serotonin production which improves mood and potassium available helps in preserving memory by developing brain function.