Amazing Health Benefits of Banana

Banana Benefits, Uses and Possible Side Effects

Overview

Fruits (both fresh and dry) are nutritious and packed with beneficial properties. These fruits are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, anti-oxidant. One of such fruits rich in various nutrients is Banana.

benefits of banana

Bananas are very nutritious and delicious fruits. Banana belongs to the genus ‘Musa’ and from the ‘Musachi’ family. It is the most valued fruit crop in the world. Bananas are grown in tropical regions, and although it is most commonly used in those areas, it is valued worldwide for its taste, nutritional value and availability throughout the year. Bananas are a delicious and convenient source of some important nutrients. People have been producing this tropical fruit since ancient times, and the health benefits of bananas have been seen for centuries.  

Benefits of Banana

It can be generally said that the banana originated in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific around 8,000 to 5,000 BC. From New Guinea and the Philippines; the fruit spreaded it region far and wide across countries.

The banana tree is the most large herb flowering plant. It is a huge herb plant with a clear stem. There is an underground stem with the first root of the tree. It is actually the food storage for the plant. The tree produces its fruit and dies. The leaves of the banana tree are large. This includes a bud that produces leaves. After 7 or 8 months, the bud produces flowers when about 30 leaves grow. The flowers of the banana tree form a large spike. These fruits are long in shape, with a yellow or green peel. The fleshy part of banana fruit is light in color, sweet and soft. You can see small dark spots in the fruit; These are actually seeds, but they can’t grow. Different types of bananas are found.

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This article describes the equality information about the health benefits of bananas.

Different Regional Indian names of Banana

  • Assamese : Kol
  • Hindi : Kela
  • Tamil : Vazha Pazham
  • Malayalam : Pazham,Vazha Pazham
  • Telugu : Arati Pandu
  • Kannada : Bale Hannu
  • Gujarati : Keda
  • Marathi : Kele, Kel
  • Odia : Champa Kadali, Kadali
  • Punjabi : Kella, Kela
  • Assamese : Kol
  • Bengali : Kollaa

Nutritional value of per 100 g of Banana:

  • Energy : 371 KJ (89kcal)
  • Carbohydrate : 22.84g
  • Sugar :12.23
  • Dietary fiber : 2.6g
  • Fat : 0.33g
  • Protein :1.09g
  • Vitamins
    • Thiamine (B1) :0.031mg
    • Riboflavin ((B2) : 0.073mg
    • Niacin (B3) : 0.665mg
    • Pantothenic acid (B5) : 0.334mg
    • Vitamin (B6) :0.4mg
    • Folate(B9) : 20mcg
    • Choline : 9.8mg
    • Vitamin C : 9.8mg
  • Minerals
    • Iron : 0.26mg
    • Magnesium : 27mg
    • Manganese : 0.27mg
    • Phosphorus : 22mg
    • Potassium : 358mg
    • Sodium : 1mg
    • Zinc : 0.51mg
  • Other constituents
    • Water : 74.91g

Scientific Classification of Banana plant

  • Kingdom : Plantae
  • Clade : Tracheophytes
  • Clade : Angiosperms
  • Clade : Monocots
  • Clade : Commelinids
  • Order : Zingiberales
  • Family : Musaceae
  • Genus : Musa
  • Section : Musa sect. Musa
  • Species : M. x paradisiaca
  • Scientific name : Musa x paradisiaca

Benefits of Banana:

1. High fiber content: 

Bananas contain high amounts of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber slows down digestion and does not make you feel hungry for a long time. This is why bananas are often included in breakfast so you can start your day without worrying about the next meal.

2. Improved heart health:

Since bananas are rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system to provide oxygen to the brain. It helps the body maintain regular heartbeat, low blood pressure and proper balance of water in the body, according to the National Institutes of Health.  According to a study- American Heart Association journal, Stroke; potassium rich foods are also known to reduce the risk of stroke in older women.

3. Natural Laxatives: 

Bananas can relieve your constipation. Well ripe bananas contain a type of fiber that helps in restoring and maintaining regular bowel functions. According to a 2014 Chinese study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, these are a natural source for improving the movement of waste through the intestines. So take ripe bananas twice a day for healthy bowel movement.

4. High source of potassium:

High potassium content in bananas makes it a great fruit. This mineral is known for its numerous health beneficial properties – it helps in controlling heart rate, blood pressure, and keeps the brain alert. So make sure you add bananas to your daily diet to keep your heart and brain healthy, as well as for more stable blood pressure.

5. High blood pressure:

It is a known fact that salt is bad in case of high blood pressure. The salt content in the banana is low and the potassium is high, and these properties contribute to making it a role model for those facing this condition. But make sure you consult your nutritionist or doctor before adding it to your diet if you have a special health condition (like, Allergy).

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6. Helps Fight Anemia: 

Because of the high iron content in bananas, they are good for those suffering from anemia. Anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood decreases. This leads to fatigue, shortness of breath, and paleness.  

7. Treats Diarrhea:

Bananas are a good home remedy for loose stool (diarrhea) as it acts as a binding agent. Diarrhea dehydrates the body and tore off some important electrolytes. Bananas help recover those lost nutrients.

8. Cures Skin disease: 

The white lining inside the banana peel is a known remedy for treating psoriasis, acne and other skin conditions. Banana bark is also known to have a proven effect on the treatment of bark and minor burns.

9. Hangover remedy:

The natural ingredients of bananas and the ability to fill the body vitamins make them an ideal food to reduce the effects of hangovers. Place a few bananas in the blender with some yogurt and add a little honey to sweeten the taste. The fruit calms the stomach and helps honey restore blood sugar levels to normal.

10. Helps to build lean muscles: 

If you experience repeated muscle pain after exercising, your body may lack magnesium. Bananas rich in magnesium can help with muscle contractions and relaxation that increase the mass of the lean muscles.

11. Supports bone health:

Although bananas are not high in calcium, they can help maintain your bone health. Banana contains pre-organic Fructooligosaccharides. Fructooligosaccharides help in increasing the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Therefore, this prebiotic can help improve your body bone health.

12. May improve kidney health: 

Banana contains potassium which helps to keep your kidneys healthy and clean. Some studies have said that people who eat 4-6 bananas a week are about 50% less likely to develop kidney disease than those who do not eat this fruit.

13. Supports eye health:

Bananas contain vitamin A, vitamin E, lutein and antioxidants that help keep your eyesight healthy. Lutine is a nutrient that can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

14. May help to whiten the teeth: 

The bark of banana plants is very beneficial for teeth to be browned. Rubbing the inside of the bark for about 2 minutes will have the desired effect of white and bright teeth.

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Other Benefits of Banana

1) Bathing after applying mashed banana on the body keeps the skin tight and glowing. 

2) The benefits of bananas are seen in the case of bleeding while coughing. 

3) Applying banana paste mixed with olive oil can give you soft skin and also can remove other spots from the skin. 

4) You can eat the banana stem to gain strength after recovering from tuberculosis. 

5) According to doctors, bananas are an energy-boosting fruit. Eating bananas increases sperm count. 

6) Bananas prevent fat accumulation in the body. 

7) For women, by consuming ripe bananas with clarified butter (Ghee) twice a day you can get relief from abnormal white discharge. 

8) Banana milkshakes are beneficial for people with stomach ulcers.

9) Bananas can provide you with smooth skin. 

10) If you are facing problems with acidity and hiccups, consume finely mixed bananas with cardamom powder (large cardamom) to cure the disease. 

11) Children should often be fed bananas with milk. There are a lot of benefits of bananas for childrens.

12) Bananas can control the calcium and phosphorus levels in children’s bodies. Also, mental improvement is also noticed.

13) Consuming raw banana juice for a few days can heal intestinal wounds.

14) Consuming honey and banana together cures jaundice. 

15) Women having abnormal white discharge problems can consume bananas mixing it with amla juice and sugar. 

17) There are known benefits of bananas if you have the problem of nostril bleeding. You can mix banana with milk and sugar and consume it. 

18) Eating banana with honey can let go nausea. 

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Uses of Banana

We can eat bananas in a variety of ways- 

  • You can eat it as fruit, make milkshakes, smoothies, curd, salad, cake, baked items and add bananas to it. Bananas are as healthy as they taste.  
  • Bananas are also used to treat many skin problems, using it as poultice. People even made banana infused cosmetics.  

Side Effects

Bananas are generally safe in the amount consumed as food. The side effects of bananas are rare but can include swelling, gas, pain, soft stool, nausea and vomiting. Eating too high doses can cause high levels of potassium in the blood. Some people are seen getting allergic to this fruit. Some of the side effects that occur due to excessive use of banana are-

  • Weight gain
  • Migraine
  • Hyperkalaemia
  • Tooth decay
  • Drowsiness
  • Nerve  damage
  • Ragweed allergies
  • Hypersensitivity In Patients Allergic To Latex
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Risk of type-2 diabetes etc.

Special Precaution and Warning

There is not enough reliable information to know whether it is safe to use bananas in medicinal quantities for pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mothers. Stay on the safe side and avoid higher amounts of consumption.

It should be consumed in the right quantity keeping in view the benefits and disadvantages of the banana as excessive use of any product can harm our health.  Consult a doctor before using bananas as medicine or if you have a special physical condition.

Conclusion:

Till now you must have come to know about the benefits and other related information about bananas. We hope the information included in the above article will benefit you in various ways. Thank You!

FAQ:

1. How does a Banana benefit you?

Ans: Bananas contain fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. All of this supports heart health. A 2017 survey found that people who followed a high fiber diet were at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who ate a low fiber diet.

2. What will happen if I eat a banana in huge quantities?

Ans: Excessive consumption of bananas can have harmful health effects, such as weight gain, poor blood sugar control, and nutritional deficiency.

3. What are the side effects of bananas?

Answer: Side effects of bananas are rare but can include swelling, gas, pain, loose defecation, nausea, and vomiting. Eating bananas at very high doses can lead to high levels of potassium in the blood. Some people are also found to be allergic to this fruit.

4. Do bananas help fight Anemia?

Answer: Bananas are rich in Iron; this is why the fruit is good for those suffering from anemia. Anemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is decreasing. This leads to fatigue, shortness of breath, and paleness of skin.  

5. What is the scientific name of a Banana?

Answer: The scientific name of the call is ‘Musa × paradisiacal.

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