Health Benefits of Banana

Bananas might be the perfect fruit. They've got a built-in protective covering with a convenient tab for removal. Their color instantly tells you when they're ripe. They've got a delicious taste that nearly everyone enjoys. And—perhaps most important—they're packed with beneficial nutrients. Bananas, the little fruit that is neatly packed in a bright yellow jacket, can offer you more than just a natural fruit sugar rush for increased energy.

In fact there are many health benefits that can be obtained by eating bananas, just read on to find out more.

1. Bananas help you Breathe Easier

Nearly 26 millions suffer from asthma, and it's the leading chronic disease among children. But preventing asthma could be as simple as eating a banana a day. A study at the Imperial College of London found that children who ate at least one banana a day experienced 34 percent less wheezing than those who ate less than one banana a month. If you're looking to prevent asthma-related symptoms and breathe better, reach for a banana.

2. Banana controls Blood Sugar Level

Bananas are rich in a fiber called pectin, which gives the flesh its structural form Unripe bananas contain resistant starch, which acts like soluble fiber and escapes digestion.Both pectin and resistant starch may moderate blood sugar levels after meals, and reduce appetite by slowing stomach emptying

Furthermore, bananas also rank low to medium on the glycemic index, which is a measure (from 0–100) of how quickly foods increase blood sugar levels.The glycemic value of unripe bananas is about 30, while ripe bananas rank at about 60. The average value of all bananas is 51 This means that bananas should not cause major spikes in blood sugar levels in healthy individuals.

3. Bananas May Improve Digestive Health

Dietary fiber has been linked to many health benefits, including improved digestion.A medium-sized banana contains about 3 grams of fiber, making bananas a fairly good fiber source.Bananas contain mainly two types of fiber:

·                                 Pectin: Decreases as the banana ripens.

·                                 Resistant starch: Found in unripe bananas.

4. Bananas May Help With Weight Loss

No study has directly tested the effects of bananas on weight loss. However, bananas do have several features that should make them a weight loss friendly food.

For starters, bananas contain relatively few calories. An average banana contains just over 100 calories, yet it is also very nutritious and filling. They are also rich in fiber. Eating more fiber from fruit and vegetables has repeatedly been linked with lower body weight and weight loss Furthermore; unripe bananas are packed with resistant starch, so they tend to be very filling and may reduce your appetite

5. Bananas Contain Powerful Antioxidants

Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary antioxidants, and bananas are no exception. They contain several types of potent antioxidants, including dopamine and catechins These antioxidants have been linked to many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease and degenerative diseases

However, it is a common misunderstanding that the dopamine from bananas acts as a feel-good chemical in the brain.

6. Unripe Bananas May Improve Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin resistance is a major risk factor for many of the world’s most serious diseases, including type 2 diabetes.

Several studies have shown that 15–30 grams of resistant starch per day may improve insulin sensitivity by 33–50%, in as little as 4 weeks Unripe bananas are a great source of resistant starch, and may therefore help improve insulin sensitivity.

7. Bananas May Improve Kidney Health

Potassium is essential for blood pressure control and healthy kidney function.

As a good dietary source of potassium, bananas may be especially beneficial for maintaining healthy kidneys. One study in women showed that over 13 years, those who ate bananas 2–3 times per week were 33% less likely to develop kidney disease