Health Benefits Of Bananas

Bananas are the fruit of the banana plant which grows to 26 feet in height, bananas grow in cluster which are then separated into groups known as ‘hands’ of up to 25 bananas. Bananas are thought to have been native to Malaysia but are now grown commercially in Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador and Brazil. The banana is an elliptically shaped fruits with creamy firm flesh inside, the banana skin is very easily peeled. The two main groups of the banana are the sweet banana and the plantain, the sweet banana tends to be yellow in colour and is eaten raw as a fruit whilst the plantain tend to be green in colour and is used like a vegetable and is cooked because of its starchiness.

Bananas have a high content of potassium and fibre which can protect against diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure and promote healthy bones. Bananas have substances in them which produce a thicker protective mucus barrier in the stomach as well as eliminating bacteria within the stomach. This two pronged attack helps to protect against stomach ulcers. Bananas have a high amount of the soluble fibre pectin which can aid digestion and combat constipation. Research has shown that by eating bananas regularly you can reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer.

Nutrients

• Beta-carotene
• Potassium
• Tryptophan
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin K

Benefits

• Lowers cholesterol
• Removes toxic metal from the body
• Helps ulcers
• Aids sleep
• Mild laxative
• Anti-fungal
• Antibiotic properties
• High in potassium

Drawbacks

Unripe bananas can cause wind