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Bananas are high in vitamin B6. A diet high in potassium can lower blood pressure in people with elevated levels and benefits heart health .

Vitamin B6. Several antioxidant flavonoids are found in bananas, most notably catechins. It’s always best to monitor blood sugar levels carefully after consuming high amounts of of sugar and carbs.

On a different note, some studies indicate that this fruit is a risk factor for constipation, while others claim that bananas may have the opposite effect .

When consumed in moderation, bananas do not have any serious adverse effects.


. Their color usually ranges from green to yellow, but some varieties are red.

This article tells you everything you need to know about bananas.


Nutrition facts


The nutrition facts for 1 medium-sized banana (100 grams) are :

Calories: 89

Water: 75%

Protein: 1.1 grams

Carbs: 22.8 grams

Sugar: 12.2 grams

Fiber: 2.6 grams

Fat: 0.3 grams


Carbs


Bananas are a rich source of carbs, which occur mainly as starch in unripe bananas and sugars in ripe bananas.

The carb composition of bananas changes drastically during ripening.

The main component of unripe bananas is starch. Thus, one might expect them to cause a large rise in blood sugar.

But due to their low GI, moderate consumption of bananas should not raise blood sugar levels nearly as much as other high-carb foods.

That said, people with diabetes should avoid eating a lot of well-ripened bananas. In ripe bananas, the total sugar content can reach more than 16% of the fresh weight .

Bananas have a relatively low glycemic index (GI) of 42–58, depending on their ripeness. One medium-sized banana can provide up to 33% of the Daily Value (DV) of this vitamin.

Vitamin C. Bananas : Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits


Bananas contain fiber as well as vitamins and minerals that may provide health benefits.

Bananas are among the most important food crops on the planet.

They come from a family of plants called Musa that are native to Southeast Asia and grown in many of the warmer areas of the world.

Bananas are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Many types and sizes exist. They have been linked to various health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease .


Health benefits of bananas


Bananas boast a number of health benefits.

Heart health

Heart disease is the world’s most common cause of premature death.

Bananas are high in potassium, a mineral that promotes heart health and normal blood pressure. Rather, it acts as an antioxidant.

Catechin. Green bananas contain up to 80% starch measured in dry weight.

During ripening, the starch is converted into sugars and ends up being less than 1% when the banana is fully ripe.

The most common types of sugar in ripe bananas are sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Some of the pectin in bananas is water-soluble.

When bananas ripen, the proportion of water-soluble pectin increases, which is one of the main reasons why bananas turn soft as they age .

Both pectin and resistant starch moderate the rise in blood sugar after a meal.


Vitamins and minerals


Bananas are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C .

Potassium. Like most fruit, bananas are a good source of vitamin C.


Other plant compounds


Fruits and vegetables contain numerous types of bioactive plant compounds, and bananas are no exception.

Dopamine. One medium-sized banana contains around 0.4 grams of this mineral.

According to a large analysis of many studies, daily consumption of 1.3–1.4 grams of potassium is linked to a 26% lower risk of heart disease.

In addition, bananas contain antioxidant flavonoids also associated with a significant decrease in heart disease risk.


Digestive health


Unripe, green bananas contain considerable amounts of resistant starch and pectin, which are types of dietary fiber.

Resistant starch and pectins act as prebiotic nutrients, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

In your gut, these fibers are fermented by beneficial bacteria that form butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that promotes gut health.


Banana downsides


There are mixed opinions on whether bananas are good for people with type 2 diabetes.

It’s true that bananas are high in starch and sugar. The GI is a measure of how quickly carbs in food enter your bloodstream and raise blood sugar.

Bananas’ high content of resistant starch and fiber explains their low GI.


Fibers


A high proportion of the starch in unripe bananas is resistant starch, which passes through your gut undigested.

In your large intestine, this starch is fermented by bacteria to form butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that appears to have beneficial effects on gut health.

Bananas are also a good source of other types of fiber, such as pectin. Although it is an important neurotransmitter in your brain, dopamine from bananas doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier to affect mood. Bananas are a good source of potassium.

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