Bananas are fruits that contain many minerals and numerous vitamins. Bananas are primarily a treasury of potassium, so they should be reached by people struggling with hypertension. Bananas will also help with ulcers and diarrhea in children. On the other hand, banana peel is a proven method for warts, mosquito bites and teeth whitening. What other properties do bananas have?
Bananais a fruit whose properties and nutritional values were known thousands of years ago. Bananas were grown probably over 7,000 years ago in Malaysia, from where they came to India. Then they traveled through the Middle East to Africa, where they are still cultivated today.
Today bananas also grow in Asia and Australia. Growers do not wait for the fruit to fully ripen, but pick it while it is still green and then load it on refrigerated vessels to prevent it from reaching Europe overripe. Then they are not only less tasty, but also have a lower nutritional value. And this one is unique, because the banana contains all the most important vitamins - A, C, E, K and those from group B. They also contain fiber and minerals - magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. However, potassium has the most.
Bananas in the hypertensive diet
In one medium-sized banana, which weighs about 100 g, there is a whopping 358 mg of potassium. Thus, these fruits are at the forefront of products that contain the most of this blood pressure-lowering element. Even the famous tomatoes have much less of it (237 mg / 100 g). In addition, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends including bananas in your potassium-rich, low-sodium diet because they reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
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Find out moreBananas can lower cholesterol
Bananas can help to lower the levelcholesterol. All thanks to the high content of pectins (a type of dietary fiber). Indian scientists have found that fiber from unripe banana plantains (vegetable bananas) administered to rats simultaneously with large amounts of cholesterol is an excellent way of counteracting the expected increase in blood cholesterol.
Interestingly, the fibers from ripe bananas do not work the same. Rats fed these fruits and cholesterol had high levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, and the addition of unripe banana plantains to their diets resulted in a 1/3 decrease in high LDL cholesterol. In addition, it increased by about 30 percent. beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Worth knowingNutritional value of bananas (in 100 g)Energy value - 89 kcal Total protein - 1.09 g Fat - 0.33 g Carbohydrates - 22.84 g (including simple sugars 12.23) Fiber - 2.6 g VitaminsVitamin C - 8.7 mg Thiamine - 0.031 mg Riboflavin - 0.073 mg Niacin - 0.665 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.367 mg Folic acid - 20 µg Vitamin A - 64 IU Vitamin E - 0.10 mg Vitamin K - 0.5 µgMineralsCalcium - 5 mg Iron - 0.26 mg Magnesium - 27 mg Phosphorus - 22 mgPotassium - 358 mgSodium - 1 mg Zinc - 0.15 mg Data source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
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Bananas have a high glycemic index
People with diabetes should consume low GI foods ( <50), które w małym stopniu wpływają na zwiększenie stężenia glukozy we krwi. Banana GI is 60 , therefore they should be excluded from the diabetic's diet. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the University of Toronto studied different foods and ranked them according to their ability to raise blood sugar levels, and found that the biggest spikes in sugar levels are not ice cream and candy, but carrots, potatoes and bananas.
It is good to know that the glycemic index of bananas changes depending on the degree of its ripeness. Very ripe fruit may have a glycemic index>70. Bananas are among the most caloric fruits. 100 g of a banana equals 89 kcal. A medium-sized banana weighs about 120 g, so it has about 107 kcal. For this reason, people who are slimming should resign from them. CHECK:Attention, THESE FRUIT FREQUENCIES! Meet the fruits from which it comes ON THE WEIGHT Bananas can reduce the risk of developing kidney cancer. Studies in a large group of women have shown that in women who ate bananas four to six times a week, the risk of developing kidney cancer was almost halved compared to women who did not include bananas in the diet.your diet. It has also been shown that green bananas, specifically the so-called resistant starch in them can reduce the risk of many different types of cancer, especially colon cancer. It is worth knowing that this starch is digested more slowly, so it does not cause a rapid increase in blood glucose levels. If you plan to eat bananas within a few days of buying them, choose intensely yellow fruits. For baking, mousse and dishes that require crushed bananas, it is best to use fully ripe bananas with spots on the skin. On the other hand, slightly unripe fruits are best for cooking, because they will not fall apart during thermal processing. If you wantbananas to mature faster , put them in the sun or leave them in a paper bag overnight with a slice of apple or tomato. Another way is to … put a condom on a banana. Then it will mature in 2-4 hours. This is because the latex used in condoms accelerates the ripening of these fruits. It is good to know that bananas are naturally covered with a layer of latex. It is the resin that is produced by the peel of the fruit. After collecting them, the separated smaller clusters are soaked in water to remove the latex layer from them, and thus - to prevent a significant acceleration of maturation, which is not advisable during transport. If the latex is not washed off, dark spots will appear on the peel and the rotting process will begin. Bananas can be stored at room temperature and also in the refrigerator. However, in the latter case, they will mature later and have a black skin. Bananas can protect against HIV infection, argue scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School in the "Journal of Biological Chemistry". It's all thanks to BanLec - a type of lectin (plant protein) that binds to the gp120 protein typical of the virus, blocking its action, thereby stopping the process of HIV infection. Researchers believe that the compound is as effective as the drugs used to treat HIV infection: T-20 and maraviroc. Researchers argue that BanLec can be a component of topical preparations, such as gels, designed to protect against HIV. Bananas should be included in the diet of people struggling with stomach ulcers. Animal studies have shown that these exotic fruits cause gastric mucosa cells to proliferate and stimulate the secretion of mucus forming a film.protective, thus preventing the harmful effects of gastric juices and damage. In addition, they contain the so-called protease inhibitors that help to kill bacteria, includingH. pylori , which is probably responsible for most cases of peptic ulcer disease. According to the IndianMateria Medica(a collection of knowledge about natural resources), green banana flour and cakes made from it help with indigestion and gas. On the other hand, a light banana flour porridge made with milk can be included in the diet for gastritis. Brown spots and black dots on the banana are not a sign of spoilage Brown spots or black spots on the peel of a banana are not a sign of spoilage, but only a sign that the fruit has reached its full flavor and should be eaten as soon as possible. Is the banana tip harmful? Legend has it that at the tip of a banana there are parasites (e.g. lamblas), spider eggs, and even snake venom. However, as experts argue, banana tips do not pose any he alth risk. Bananas are also a proven treatment for diarrhea, especially in children, and this has been scientifically proven. Three groups of children participated in the research. The first was on a diet with bananas, the second received pectin, and the third - rice without additives. It turned out that children who consumed bananas got rid of diarrhea faster - 82 percent. children recovered within four days. In many cultures, banana peel is used to treat warts and to soothe mosquito bites. The bitten area is rubbed with a washed banana peel to reduce swelling, itching and irritation. The secret may be in the enzymes contained in the peel that soothe inflammation. Banana peel is said to be a proven way to whiten your teeth. To find out, rub your teeth with the inner layer of the skin several times a week. Teeth whitening with banana peel is safe for the teeth as it does not contain chemicals that damage the enamel. Bananas are usually eaten raw, peeled. You can also bake them, for example with rice. It is good to know that heating up the taste and aroma of bananas. They can also be used for preserves - juices, drinks, jams. In addition, bananas are perfectly combined with milk and its preserves - yoghurt orbuttermilk. There is also a variety of red bananas. They are light yellow inside and much sweeter and more delicate in taste (they have a mousse-like consistency) than yellow ones. In addition, red bananas contain more vitamin C and alpha-carotenes than traditional ones. Currently, they grow in tropical countries of Asia, Africa and South America. In Poland, it can be purchased in selected stores. The price is about PLN 20 per kilogram. Read more articles from this authorHow many calories (kcal) does a banana have?
Bananas and cancer
What to do to make bananas mature faster?
Bananas can protect against HIV?
Bananas for stomach ulcers
Bananas for indigestion and flatulence
Bananas for diarrhea in children
Banana peel for warts and mosquito bites
Banana peel for teeth whitening
Banana - use in the kitchen
Red bananas - where can you buy? What is their price?
About the author
Monika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.