Bananas are one of the widely available fruits in the world. These nutrient-rich fruits are easy to have on the go and provide instant energy. Because of their sweet taste and creamy texture, they are one of the favorite ingredients in several dishes, such as cakes, breads, and puddings. They have various antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Bananas contain minerals, such as zinc and selenium, and various other antioxidants. Being rich in fiber they make you feel full and prevent cravings.
Are bananas fattening for you?
There is no scientific evidence that eating bananas may cause weight gain. Bananas contain a minimal amount of fats. The carbohydrate content in a ripe banana is around 28 grams per 100-gram serving. The total calorie content in 100 g of bananas is around 110 calories. Bananas as such are not fattening. They may rather make you feel full for longer because of their fiber content. Their sweet taste and creamy texture may also help reduce cravings for unhealthy desserts, such as pastries and doughnuts. Studies show that bananas may help prevent weight gain. They can be included in a regular healthy diet, which includes three to five servings of fruits every day. Snacking on fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods, such as cookies and chips helps in weight management. If you wish to lose weight for achieving a healthy weight, you need to reduce your overall calorie intake. Consuming bananas when kept within your calorie requirements will not make you gain weight.
What are the health benefits of bananas?
Bananas are packed with several nutrients which have several health benefits, such as:
- Healthy heart and blood vessels: Bananas contain minerals like potassium, which are needed for a healthy heartbeat. They also contain several antioxidants and fiber needed for a healthy heart and regulation of blood pressure.
- Healthy gut and digestion: Bananas are rich in fiber that help in bowel movement. This also helps eliminate toxins from the gut and keep the gut healthy. They are a part of the BRAT diet, which helps the gut recover from a bout of stomach flu.
- Weight management: Bananas contain fiber that helps you stay full for a long time. This helps in limiting calorie intake and weight reduction. Their sweet taste and creamy texture may also help reduce cravings for unhealthy desserts, such as pastries and doughnuts. Studies show that bananas may help prevent weight gain. They can be included in a regular healthy diet that includes three to five servings of fruits every day.
- Sleep: Bananas contain the amino acid, tryptophan, which is used in the body to make the substance serotonin. This helps promote calmness and sleep. Bananas may also help in getting over stress and depression.
- Healthy source of energy: Bananas are excellent food options for getting energy, such as after exercise or on the go during a busy morning.
- Healthy vision: Bananas contain a good amount of Vitamin A, which is used to make the pigment called rhodopsin in the retina (the light-sensitive layer inside the eye). Rhodopsin is necessary for night vision.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowHarvard TH Chan. Bananas. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/bananas/ NutritionValue.Org. Bananas, raw.
https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Bananas%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html
Top Are Bananas Fattening for You? Related Articles
Are Bananas Good for Diabetes?
Bananas are a type of fruit that is rich in fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin B6, phytonutrients, antioxidants and potassium. People who have diabetes can consume bananas in moderation, preferably if they are small, unripe and eaten along with protein and healthy fats.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
High-Sugar Fruits
Sugar content in fruit varies. High-sugar fruits include mangoes, pears, grapes, cherries, bananas, figs, and watermelon. Low-sugar fruits include avocados, guava, raspberries, cantaloupe, papayas, and strawberries.
High-Fiber Foods
Learn about high-fiber foods. From fresh fruits to whole grains, these fiber-rich foods can lower cholesterol, prevent constipation, and improve digestion.
How Do You Eat a Star Fruit?
Star fruits taste best when consumed ripe. Unripe star fruits may taste excessively sour and at times bitter. Once ripe, these fruits turn completely yellow with a hint of green at the edges; this is the best time to consume star fruit. You can enjoy having a star fruit by:
Is Jackfruit Bad for Humans?
Jackfruit is an exotic fruit grown in tropical regions and native to the southern part of India. It’s available in other parts of the world, including the United States. Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit, reaching up to 35 kg in weight. Jackfruit has a dull green, spiky outer skin, which is not eaten, and the edible part of the fruit (the flesh or fruit pods) lies inside, which is light yellow in color and has a rubbery texture.
Best & Worst Juices
Although the best kinds of juice deliver a bounty of vitamins, the worst are hardly better than liquid candy. Learn to distinguish between the healthy juices and the unhealthy diet wreckers here.
11 Exotic Fruits You Should Try
Exotic fruits like acai, guava, and papaya are loaded with vitamins and other nutrients. Learn when these exotic fruits are ripe, how to prepare them and what nutrition they offer.What Does a Star Fruit Taste Like?
Star fruit, also known as carambola or Averrhoa Starfruit, is widely distributed around the world but is more popular in tropical areas, such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.What Does Jackfruit Meat Taste Like?
Typical jackfruit meat consists of the unripe jackfruit pod. It is tasteless and it has a fibrous texture. Jackfruit meat takes on the flavor of the spices that it is cooked with.