The Banana is known as one of the most versatile fruits available, an excellent choice for a quick snack, a great pick me up before or after sports, they are available everywhere and in different sizes, loved by kids and adults alike.
Bananas are full of Fibre and Antioxidants, Vitamin B6 and Potassium, essential for blood pressure control and linked to heart health and better kidney function.
Magnesium - essential to protect against chronic disease such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes and is beneficial to bone health,
Copper - an essential nutrient for the body together with iron, enables the body to form red blood cells, contributes to iron absorption and helps to maintain healthy immune function
Vitamin C - a water soluble vitamin and antioxidant that plays a vital role in immune health.
Manganese - a naturally occurring mineral that helps to extinguish free radicals from the body
Bananas are 90% carbohydrate, full of starch and resistant starch, a type of indigestible carb that functions like fibre and has many health benefits such as :
Resistant starch is also linked to weight loss due to the high fibre content of the banana that gives a fuller feeling and reduces appetite, but if you are on a low carb diet, bananas may not be such a good choice.
Bananas contain pectin that is responsible for the shape of the banana when ripe, but when the enzymes break down the pectin, the banana becomes soft, mushy and full of sugar
Resistant starch and pectin act together as prebiotic nutrients that feed the friendly bacteria of the digestive system and may reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Bananas are low in protein and fat.
Once ripened the banana is mostly sugar.
Are bananas safe for diabetics? Since they are high in starch and sugar it is probably best for diabetics to eat bananas that are less ripe and limit their intake.
The cons, there are not too many.
Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar after eating bananas and avoid overripe bananas due to the excess sugar.
People that are allergic to latex may find they have allergies to bananas.
Generally bananas are a good all round fruit, make a great snack, can make smoothies a bit creamier, good for deserts and are safe to eat. Enjoy them for a boost in energy.
