Are Bananas Good For You? - Lets Find Out About Banana Nutrition

Bananas really are an astonishing fruit. Where else do you find an ingenious package of vitamins and minerals, packed together to taste so good, and sealed in its own peel?

The banana has been called "the fruit of the wise". With all the minerals and vitamins in them that our bodies need, it only makes sense to make them a regular part of our diet.

If you have had the privilege of bringing up children - here is a food they all seem to eat. Whoppee!

Whether you are young, old, big or small, bananas make a tasty and healthy part of our daily food.


Banana Nutrition

One of the key benefits of banana being included in our diet certainly involves the banana nutrients. There are other benefits to add to those though. Look at how handy the banana is.

We often take fruit with us to functions - the banana lasts the distance much better than most other fruit. It is very easy to eat, no matter where you are.

The banana tastes nice. They are also an affordable fruit. As our financial times get tougher, a factor to bear in mind.


Nutritional Value of a Banana

The nutritional value of a banana isn't as well known as I first thought. In fact, there are some myths about concerning the banana so lets get to the facts.

Some people think that banana causes constipation. Bananas are actually high in fiber, and at the same time as making them good for your cardiovascular health, fiber actually also helps avoid constipation. And, fiber keeps your intestines healthy.

Bananas contain pantothenic acid, niacin, copper, thiamin, vitamin's A, B and C, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

A banana is cholesterol free.

The way a banana is prepared is very important to the banana nutrient value. Drying and cooking can reduce nutrient value.

Calories Banana

People often ask - how many calories are in a banana?

That mainly depends on the size of the banana. A raw, fresh, medium sized banana is around the 100 calories mark (weight for weight, about the same as cottage cheese). A larger bannana may have up around 135 calories.

There are other things to ponder with bananas though. Bananas obtain nearly 92% of their calories from carbohydrates, around 4% of their calories from protein, and 4% from fats.

A banana is satisfying and is ideal for children's morning break or an after school energy boost.

Banana Carbs

If you are on a low carbohydrate diet in an effort to burn fat, you need to contemplate the carbohydrates in addition to how many calories are in a banana.

The body uses up calories from carbs more quickly and easily than calories from protein or fat. Bananas are a first rate food for weight loss.

No other fruit comprises more digestible carbohydrates than bananas.

Bananas are a rapid and easy source of carbohydrates which is needed to provide energy for muscles and the brain.

What are the best food choices before sport? Food that is rich in carbs. Carbohydrates top up the natural fuel used by muscles in sport. The bannana is the choice fruit of many active people. They are simple to eat, high in carbohydates and help you to achieve in your sport.

Vitamins in Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium. From a muscle building perspective, your nerves need potassium to let your muscles know what to do. This is valuable to the weight trainer to build muscle. A diet high in potassium is also said to reduce the risk of stroke and hypertension.

Bannanas contain pectin and malic acid. They are refreshing when eaten raw.

The vitamin B6 in bananas aids in the synthesis of antibodies in the immune system apart from red blood formation, protein metabolism and functioning of the central nervous system.

Actually bananas are the best fruit source of vitamin B6.