Banana is the most comfortable fruit to take outside the home, it is easy to transport and very hygienic because you can peel it with your hands without staining yourself. In addition, it has many nutritional benefits for your health.
Banana is a beneficial food for everyone , including diabetic or overweight people. It stands out for its content of carbohydrates, potassium, magnesium, folic acid and fiber . And although its caloric value is high , especially if we compare it with other fruits, the truth is that the calories we consume in one serving are not as caloric as we think.
Nutritional components
Potassium
This mineral is essential for the transmission and generation of the nerve impulse, muscle contraction and water balance. One of the consequences of the loss of electrolytes due to dehydration can be to suffer cramps , so a diet rich in potassium will help prevent these cramps.Its
high content in potassium and low in sodium makes the banana beneficial for people suffering from high blood pressure.
Magnesium
Magnesium is responsible for maintaining the proper functioning of the intestines, muscles and nerves . It also participates in the regulation of cardiac contraction, improves the immune system and is part of bones and teeth.
Folic acid
The folic acid or vitamin B9 involved in the production of red blood cells, the development of the nervous system involved in the synthesis of genetic material and antibody formation. In addition, it is very important when it comes to preventing anemia and spina bifida in pregnancy.
Fiber and astringent substances
Banana contains a lot of fruit fiber-oligosaccharides (FOS), that is, soluble fiber that stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria for the colon. This type of fiber is fermented by the intestinal flora itself, giving rise to certain substances such as butyric acid and propionic acid.
These acids are good, for example, for the regulation of intestinal transit, prevention of colon cancer by inhibiting the growth of tumor cells, stimulating the immune system , etc.
On the other hand, the fiber and the richness of the tannins with astringent action make the banana a suitable food for people with diarrhea or constipation.
Who shouldn’t eat it?
Its high potassium content makes it not recommended for people with kidney failure . These people require special and controlled diets in which they will reduce or eliminate the banana from the diet, always following the personalized advice of their medical-nutritional team.
Green or ripe?
When the banana is green, the carbohydrate is in the form of starch . As it matures, this starch is converted into simple sugars such as sucrose, glucose and fructose. For this reason, when the banana is eaten ripe, it is a soft and quite digestible fruit , on the contrary, when this green is difficult to digest , it can be indigestible and can cause flatulence and dyspepsia.
Differences between plantain and banana
There are more than 100 species , the best known are: Canarian banana , small, dwarf, large and male.
Bananas are distinguished by their sweeter taste, their smell, and the specks on their skin. This is because they have a higher humidity index which gives them more juiciness. On the contrary, the banana is drier and has a more floury texture due to its contribution of carbohydrates, soluble sugars and sucrose.
Physically the banana is smaller, the banana is usually straighter and longer.
What you should know…
- The banana is a fruit that can be found in the market all year round.
- They have many health benefits: they moderate blood sugar levels after meals, reduce appetite, and are high in fiber.
- Ripe bananas are easier to digest than green bananas.
