Bananas are not grown in our latitudes, however, these sweet fruits are sold in any store, are inexpensive and have long been loved by Russians. The benefits and harms of bananas for the body have been thoroughly studied by scientists and nutritionists. Pleasant to the taste, mealy fruits have long ceased to be exotic and are among the ten most valuable fruit crops, ahead of even grapes and apples.
Types of bananas
Banana belongs to the perennial class herbaceous plants. This culture has been known to man since ancient times, and Ceylon is considered the birthplace of bananas, where they began to be grown more than 10,000 years ago.
In Latin American countries, India, China and Thailand, bananas are grown in industrial scale. Today, more than 500 varieties of this valuable crop are known, many of which are artificially bred.
Bananas are usually divided into dessert varieties (which are eaten in fresh) and the so-called “platano” (which require preliminary heat treatment).
Compound
Bananas are a nutritious and energy-rich product. Ripe pulp A quarter of the fruit consists of carbohydrates and sugars and contains starch, proteins, pectins, fiber, useful micro- and macroelements and vitamins, as well as essential oils, giving the fruit its characteristic pleasant aroma.
Natural sugars represented by fructose, sucrose and glucose. A complex of vitamins, dietary fiber and organic acids makes this product indispensable in baby food.
Bananas are especially rich in potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for the smooth functioning of the heart, brain and muscles. Just a couple of bananas a day can fully satisfy the body's needs for these microelements.
Ingredients of bananas:
- Vitamins A, C, E, K, PP, group B (B1, B2, B6, B5, B9);
- Beta carotene;
- Choline;
- Microelements (potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, copper, selenium, zinc);
- Cellulose;
- Carbohydrates, fats, proteins;
- Amino acids;
- Apple acid;
- Monosaccharides (fructose, glucose, sucrose).
The calorie content of bananas largely depends on the degree of ripeness of the fruit. So, energy value green bananas - only 89 Kcal, in ripe fruits the number of calories increases to 120, and the calorie content is ripe banana is already 180 Kcal.
Bananas are hard to name dietary product, however, nutritionists recommend including sweet fruits in many diets. The fact is that bananas are very nutritious and cope well with hunger. It is enough to eat a small fruit to maintain a feeling of fullness for a long time and not to break down while following a strict diet.
Beneficial properties of bananas
The health benefits of bananas can hardly be overestimated. Rich in vitamin mineral composition sunny fruit helps the body maintain health and protects against infectious and colds, as it strengthens immune system.
B vitamins are responsible for the normal course of metabolic processes, improve tissue respiration, reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, and activate the production of hemoglobin.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is responsible for the synthesis of serotonin, which is not without reason called the “happiness hormone,” has a particularly beneficial effect on the body. That is why bananas are recommended as a means to improve mood and relieve depression.
In addition, B vitamins strengthen nervous system, activate memory and attention, help fight stress, increase performance, and improve the condition of skin and hair.
Provides the necessary energy boost easily digestible sugars(fructose and glucose). They help activate physical activity and support the body during high physical and intellectual stress. Therefore, bananas are the favorite fruit of professional athletes, students and schoolchildren.
The fruits contain many useful microelements, potassium and magnesium are especially important for the body.
Potassium is needed by the body for the normal functioning of the heart muscle and nervous system. It is this element that is responsible for the normalization of heart rate, participates in water-salt metabolism, and stabilizes arterial pressure and reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Magnesium helps maintain blood vessels in tone, prevents the formation of blood clots by eliminating excessive blood viscosity and activating blood circulation.
Iron prevents the development of anemia, and vitamins C and E are strong antioxidants that prevent the aging process by blocking the synthesis of free radicals and reduce the risk of developing cancer.
These vitamins have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair and help maintain beauty and youth. Therefore, cosmetologists often include banana in their composition. cosmetics(masks, creams).
Eating bananas helps lower blood pressure, normalize the digestive system, and healthy fiber their composition relieves constipation. Both fresh and dried bananas help strengthen physical strength, increase endurance, and improve performance.
Sweet fruits help fight stress, improve mood and appetite, relieve irritation, relieve fatigue and apathy. Banana peel is a good anthelmintic and is part of folk remedies designed to combat various types of helminthiases.
Banana contains a special amino acid - tryptophan, which acts as a natural sleeping pill and helps fight insomnia. And in combination with B vitamins, tryptophan helps the body produce “joy hormones” - serotonin and endorphin.
Benefits of bananas for men is that with regular use, Exotic fruits help increase potency, allow you to achieve a stable and long-lasting erection, improve the quality of semen and make it possible to have healthy offspring.
To achieve this effect, a man should regularly eat one banana every three days. Yellow fruits are recommended for those who want to cope with nicotine addiction, and eating bananas the next day after a feast will help make it easier to cope with nicotine addiction. hangover syndrome.
Benefits of Green Banana
Experts consider mini-bananas and green (vegetable) varieties to be the most beneficial for the body. Green bananas normalize blood pressure well and are a source of the most important element - potassium, necessary to protect the heart and nervous system from adverse external influences.
Doctors say that eating one fruit daily is enough to provide protection against atherosclerosis and hypertension.
In addition, green bananas prevent the loss of calcium in the urine, which means they help strengthen bones and prevent the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Bananas with green skin are useful for stomach ulcers and digestive disorders; they stop the development of diarrhea and eliminate the risk of dehydration.
Green bananas are not dessert varieties, but plantens, that is, a special type of fruit that must be heat treated before consumption. At the same time, the benefits and harms of boiled bananas are similar to those varieties that we eat fresh.
Bananas can be boiled in sweet syrup, stewed or fried. In this form they are better absorbed, so during illness it is preferable to include bananas that have undergone heat treatment.
The harm of bananas
Can bananas be harmful? Unfortunately, this fruit cannot be called completely safe, since in some diseases its use will cause more harm than good. Thus, bananas are not recommended for the following pathological conditions:
- diabetes;
- ischemia;
- thrombophlebitis;
- increased blood viscosity.
Ripe fruits contain a lot of sugar, so diabetics should not indulge in bananas. The same applies to people suffering from obesity, since the nutritional and energy value of the fruit is quite high.
Exotic fruit should not be introduced into the diet of infants (up to 12 months), otherwise the child’s imperfect digestive system may react with constipation, bloating, diarrhea and other disorders.
If the child is breastfed, the baby's mother should not get carried away with overseas fruit. Bananas contain substances that can provoke allergic reactions in a baby, and the high content of vitamin K can cause icteric discoloration of the skin or the development of hemolytic anemia.
The health benefits and harms of bananas largely depend on compliance with the rules for storing and transporting the exotic fruit. Almost all bananas come to our country green, so they can better withstand transportation and storage. They are brought to the required degree of maturity in warehouses, treated with a special gas - ethylene.
Under its influence, bananas quickly ripen, starch turns into sugar, hard flesh softens, and the peel turns yellow.
But in order to increase shelf life, bananas are chemically treated using phenol. This substance is a strong poison for our body and even a small amount can cause cancer. Therefore, you need to thoroughly wash bananas before eating, removing any remaining hazardous substances from the skin.
Bananas are not recommended for people with poor digestion and irritable bowel syndrome, as mealy fruits can cause bloating, a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach. It is recommended to exclude exotic fruit from the diet for those who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, or suffer from manifestations of thrombophlebitis, since bananas have the ability to thicken the blood.
In addition, unripe (green) bananas will not benefit even a completely healthy person. In addition to the fact that such fruits taste unpleasant, they contain insoluble starch, which our stomach and intestines cannot process.
Milk with banana - good or bad?
Many people say that you should not eat bananas with milk. This rule especially applies to those who have digestive problems. This combination can provoke diarrhea and cause such unpleasant consequences as increased gas formation, fermentation in the intestines, and bloating.
At the same time, there is a special diet, the effect of which is aimed at cleansing the body and enriching it with useful substances, minerals and trace elements contained in sweet fruits. Its essence is that for breakfast, lunch and dinner you need to eat one banana and wash it down with a glass of milk.
Throughout the day you need to drink up to 2-3 liters of purified drinking water or mineral water without gas. This will contribute better cleansing intestines. This is a rather extreme diet, which, nevertheless, helps you lose a few extra pounds in a short time and speed up metabolic processes in the body.
Cottage cheese with banana - good or bad?
The combination of cottage cheese and banana is widely used in weight loss diets. These products saturate the body with essential proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and are easily digestible and leave you feeling full for a long time.
Rub the cottage cheese through a sieve, mash the ripe banana with a fork, combine both components and mix thoroughly. Divide the entire mass into small portions and eat them every 2-3 hours.
This diet is not only tasty, but also healthy, it provides an anti-stress effect and allows you to get rid of a couple of unnecessary kilograms without feeling hungry.
Benefits of dried bananas
Which bananas are healthier: fresh or dried? Dried bananas save everything beneficial features fresh fruits, but have a higher calorie content.
Per 100 g finished product accounts for 346 Kcal, which is almost 2 times higher than this figure for fresh fruits. Therefore, dried bananas are not recommended for obesity; they should not be included in the diet of diabetics, since the concentration of sugars in such a product also increases.
But dried bananas can be given to children instead of sweets. There will be more benefits from such a dessert, because vitamins and beneficial microelements do not disappear anywhere.
Dried bananas are a source of potassium, so they are very beneficial for cardiovascular system, skin and hair health.
Even a small amount of dried fruits replenishes energy reserves, helps restore good mood and cope with stress. This product is easily digestible, is considered hypoallergenic, and has a general strengthening and tonic effect.
Dried fruits help normalize blood pressure and quickly restore strength after grueling sports training. Dried bananas are also widely used in cooking, they are added to porridges, and used to decorate confectionery products.
Each product can be equally beneficial and harmful. Let's get to know the banana, because it is not as simple as it seems.
Banana has long been part of our lives. But what do we know about him? The sweet fruit still keeps many unexpected secrets.
- Banana is one of the most ancient foods known on Earth
The plant is mentioned in the Bible, Koran, Talmud, manuscripts of the Mahabharata - Claims to be the Tree of Knowledge, the fruits of which Adam and Eve so carelessly tasted (in the Middle Ages, banana leaves were called “eve leaves”)
- The first instructions for banana growing were compiled by the ancient Egyptians and posted on the walls of ancient Thebes
- The banana plant, from a biological point of view, is not a palm tree, but a grass, and its fruit is not a fruit, but a berry
Before starting a conversation about the benefits of bananas, it is worth taking into account the following fact: during transportation, the beneficial properties of bananas are significantly reduced. Improper harvesting conditions or errors made during storage can also reduce the quality of bananas.
Important: each human body is unique in its chemical reactions and immunity. Therefore, we love some foods and eat them with pleasure, but we cannot stand others. The article contains general recommendations without taking into account the characteristics of each individual organism.
Composition of banana. Vitamins in banana
100 g of product contains
Important: the calorie content of a banana depends on its variety.
Dessert varieties of bananas are eaten only fresh, and platano or plantain (starchy bananas) can be cooked
1. Banana, as a product, is fat-free and is not a source of cholesterol.
2. Fresh bananas are rich in potassium. To replenish your daily potassium requirement, you need to eat 2 bananas a day.
- Potassium is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system and muscles of the body
- Adequate potassium in the body prevents muscle cramps that occur after exercise
- Potassium controls heart rate and normalizes heart rhythm
- The microelement ensures normal blood pressure levels
- Potassium and sodium form a pair that ensures metabolic processes at the cellular level and maintains acid-base balance
- Regulates water balance, removing excess fluid, which normalizes sweating and prevents the appearance of edema
3. Banana fruits are a storehouse of fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, which can provide the human body with an instant boost of energy. This is the most powerful natural energy drink. In addition, banana pulp contains antioxidants, the formula of which scientists have not been able to replicate in the laboratory. That is why banana has become the basis for many protein shakes that are used by athletes 
4. Due to the presence of sugars in their composition, bananas are used for therapeutic diets, the goal of which is to increase the patient’s weight. This is especially true for the treatment of underweight children.
5. Vitamin C, which is part of the banana, promotes the rapid absorption of iron,
destroys free radicals that attack viable body cells
6. The human digestive system has no problems digesting bananas. Regular use fruits normalize the work of housing and communal services. Alimentary fiber pectins, which banana fruits are rich in, provide gentle cleansing of the body
7. Bananas contain both calcium and probiotic bacteria, which improve the absorption of calcium by the human body
8. Manganese in bananas promotes bone health and improves iron metabolism
9. Vitamin B6 is a good anti-inflammatory and supports healthy brain function
10. The iron in bananas allows the product to be used to increase hemoglobin in the human body.
11. Phosphorus is essential for teeth
12. Banana is a real cosmetic laboratory. Tons of bananas are used by cosmetics manufacturers to produce masks, lotions, and creams. Banana extract in cosmetics
- nourishes skin and hair
- calms down
- tones
- acts as a remineralizing agent
- smoothes out shallow wrinkles
13. Microelements contained in bananas contribute to the production of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for the “chemistry of love” and human social adaptation.
14. banana berry- the only product plant origin, which can be used for diarrhea, including childhood diarrhea (for children over 12 months)
Benefits of green bananas
The plantain variety of bananas is often called green bananas. It was the starchy plantain bananas that competed with cereals such as rice, wheat and corn. This variety of bananas can be cooked and eaten raw - it all depends on the degree of ripeness of the fruit.
Platano bananas
- in unripe form - an analogue of potatoes. Perfect for soups and side dishes. They have a neutral taste. Can be eaten raw or used in salads
- Ripe sycamores have a yellow skin and become sweet in taste. Unlike dessert varieties, they remain crispy. Used for making desserts
Ripe steamed platano is the best food for immature (children) and aging (adult) organisms
Interesting. Banana chips made from unripe sycamores
Benefits of mini bananas
Mini bananas are a children's favorite. They are sweeter than regular dessert bananas and are easier to eat. In all other respects, mini bananas are not much different from ordinary dessert varieties.
Benefits of dried bananas
This product is produced only from dessert banana varieties. The main composition of nutrients and microelements is presented in the table below
However, any medicine can easily become poison if used incorrectly.
The harm of bananas
1. The safest “banana” misconception: I ate a banana and felt happy.
However, the substance tryptophan contained in bananas is not involved in the production of the happiness hormone. Unfortunately, tryptophan is destroyed in circulatory system human and is eliminated from the body naturally
2. In addition to tryptophan, bananas contain tyramine, an amino acid that provokes
- increased sugar levels
- overexcitation of the nervous system
- muscle hypertonicity
- occurrence of migraine
- increased blood pressure
Amount of tyramine in overripe bananas reaches a critical point for the human body. They should absolutely not be used by people suffering from neuroses or children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity disorder. Eating more than 5 bananas a day can cause an overdose of tyramine. Large dark spots on the skin indicate that the fruit is overripe.
3. Xenobiotics are substances that can have negative impact on hormonal background person. Banana acquires xenobiotics during gas treatment
4. By removing excess fluid from the body, banana provokes blood thickening and the formation of blood clots. Accordingly, banana as a food product is completely unsuitable for people suffering from
- thrombophelitis
- coronary heart disease
- have recently had a stroke or heart attack
5. The feeling of fullness that you feel after eating a banana is short-lived. But it's better to eat a banana than a cookie 
6. Variety of sugars, contained in a banana, can trigger the process of food fermentation in the stomach, thereby causing flatulence and bloating. Therefore, you should not eat a banana on an empty stomach immediately before your main meal or wash down the eaten fruit with water. The most best time in order to enjoy something sweet - an hour after lunch
7. Bananas are high in calories. Doctors do not recommend eating bananas for people who are overweight or have diabetes.
8. One banana can provide 10% of your daily carbohydrate intake (with a normal diet). This is a very high figure, which means that for “dieters” one banana covers 30%-40% of daily carbohydrates
9. The human body has the ability to easily absorb food typical of the area where it lives. This ability is inherent at the genetic level. Banana is a foreign fruit and its assimilation still requires some effort from the body
10. Unripe bananas contain insoluble starch, which the human stomach and intestines cannot process. Such bananas are characterized by a certain “ribbing” of the peel. A ripe banana has an almost perfect round cross-section and smooth skin.
However, if banana is the most “ancient” food product that has survived to this day and has not lost its relevance, then you need to get the maximum benefit from it!
The benefits of bananas for women
- Stimulates the production of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for
- normal course of labor
- sufficient milk production during feeding
- The basis of homemade cosmetics for face, body and hair care
- Ease PMS
- Reduce blood loss during menstruation
The benefits of bananas for pregnant women
- Bananas are one of the most healthy products for a woman in an interesting position
- This product helps to overcome all manifestations of toxicosis: from nausea to diarrhea and constipation.
- Bananas contain enough vitamins and microelements for both mother and baby
- In addition, bananas rarely cause allergies, which is very important for a woman carrying a child.
And yet, bananas can work wonders:
Benefits of bananas for men
- Stimulation of the production of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for
- erection
- sperm quality (fertility)
- affection for your children
- The potassium contained in bananas helps combat
- nicotine addiction
- hangover syndrome
- prevents the formation of blood clots in the cerebral cortex
- Quickly saturates the body during increased physical activity
Benefits of bananas for children
- Banana is introduced into a child’s diet at the age of 8-9 months (until then food system children is not yet sufficiently formed) provided there are no obvious contraindications and deviations in the child’s health
Important: banana should not be introduced as a first complementary food due to the sweetness of the product (subsequently, the baby may refuse less sweet, but no less healthy vegetables and fruits)
- Remember the calorie content of banana. Introduce it with caution into the diet of children prone to obesity
- Banana can be a wonderful remedy for relieving the symptoms of bronchitis in children over one year of age.
Recipe banana tea
- ripe banana - 2 pcs.
- water - 200 ml
How to cook
- Peel bananas, remove white fibers and puree thoroughly in a blender
- Place banana puree into a saucepan
- Fill with hot water
- Heat the saucepan in a water bath for 5-7 minutes
How to use?
Hot throughout the day. The amount of banana tea you drink has no clear restrictions, the main thing is to drink the entire amount during the day
The product can also be used by adults
Benefits of bananas for the stomach
Bananas are good for people who suffer from ulcers. When banana pulp enters the stomach, it creates a barrier against stomach acids. In addition, banana is the only plant product that can be consumed raw (after consultation with your doctor)
Important: patients with high acidity should definitely not eat bananas.
Benefits of bananas for hair
Important: only overripe bananas are used as a base for cosmetics.
Banana masks are suitable for all hair types and have no contraindications (except for individual intolerance to individual components)
Mask for all hair types
- banana - 1 pc.
- sour cream or kefir - 2 tbsp.
- olive oil - 2 tbsp.
How to cook?
Thoroughly puree all mask components in a blender.
- If your scalp is prone to excessive oiliness, use kefir
- Olive oil can be replaced with burdock
- The mask can be enriched with 1 tbsp. liquid honey or 1 yolk
How to use?
Apply to cleansed scalp with light massage movements.
Distribute over the entire length of the hair
Put a spacious plastic cap on your head and hide your hair under it
Insulate with a towel turban
The duration of the mask is 40-60 minutes.
Rinse with water the temperature of which corresponds to body temperature.
Benefits of bananas for the face
- aging skin
- dry skin
- skin with age spots
- oily skin
Mask for aging skin
- cottage cheese - 150 g
- banana - 150 g
How to prepare and use
- Puree thoroughly in a blender for 1 minute at medium speed.
- Apply an even layer to cleansed face
- The duration of the mask is 20 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water
Mask for lightening age spots
- banana puree- 1 tbsp.
- white of 1 egg
- lemon juice - 1 tsp.
How to prepare and use
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly, lightly beating the egg white first.
- Action time - 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water
Important: protein has a lifting effect, but masks with protein should not be overused
Mask for dry skin
- banana - ½
- yolk 1 egg
- crushed cereals- 1 tbsp. (without slide)
- olive oil - 1 tsp.
How to prepare and use
- Blend all components thoroughly
- Apply to cleansed facial skin
- Action time - 15 minutes.
- Wash off warm water
Mask for oily skin
- banana - 1 pc.
- lemon juice - 1 tsp.
- liquid honey - 1 tbsp.
How to prepare and use
- Thoroughly puree the banana with juice.
- Apply to cleansed facial skin
- Action time - 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with cool water
Benefits of banana peel
It is worth immediately emphasizing that banana peels are useful if they are not processed in gas chambers
Accordingly, banana peels should only be used as
1. Fertilizer for indoor and house plants. Carefully crushed peel will provide the soil with potassium and phosphorus, but an excess of these microelements can harm plants
2. Leaf cleaner indoor plants. Inner side banana peel Wipe all the leaves one by one. Ficus trees especially love this kind of rubbing.
3. A means for cleaning teaspoons based on banana peels is prepared as follows: Blend the peels. Dilute the resulting mixture with water to a paste-like consistency. Apply paste to a soft cloth and polish the spoons. Rinse off the remaining mixture under running water.
4. Remedy for restoring scratched surfaces of CD/DVD discs:
wipe the damaged surface of the disc with a piece of peeled banana
after that for 2 minutes. carefully polish the surface of the disc with the inside of a banana peel
Lightly dampen a soft, clean cloth with glass cleaner and carefully remove any remaining banana from the surface to be restored.
let the disc dry
Bananas for breakfast: benefits
Breakfast energizes the body for the whole day and banana is the best choice for a tasty and healthy menu
Oatmeal with banana
- Oatmeal - 1 cup
- Milk - 2 glasses
- Salt - a pinch
- Butter - 50 g
- Banana - 1 pc.
- Nuts 50 g
1. Bring milk to a boil
2. Place well-washed cereal in boiling milk, add salt, mix thoroughly and reduce heat under the pan.
3. Cook porridge on low heat 15-20 min
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. The porridge should sit under a closed lid for 5 minutes.
5. Add butter to the pan, cover with a lid, leave for another 5 minutes.
6. Peel the banana, puree in any convenient way
7. Add banana puree to the porridge, mix thoroughly
8. Place on a plate, sprinkle with your favorite chopped nuts on top
If you are on a diet:
- replace milk with water or use skim milk
- do not add butter to porridge
Banana toast
This dish is not at all dietary, but the morning sometimes requires little “pleasures”
- Slices of white bread - 8
- Powdered milk 0% - ¼ tbsp.
- Any juice (light or yellow) - 4 tbsp.
- Chicken egg - 1 pc.
- Banana - 1/3
- Vegetable oil for frying
Advice. Replace juice and milk powder with ¼ tbsp. ordinary cow's milk. The croutons will not be as fragrant, but no less tasty. White bread can be replaced with bran bread
1. Blend all ingredients except bread and vegetable oil
2. Place the resulting mixture in any convenient container.
3. Place a clean frying pan over medium heat and pour a small amount of vegetable oil onto it
4. Dip both sides of the bread in the banana milk mixture.
5. When the oil is hot, reduce the heat to low and place the soaked slices in the pan.
6. Fry on both sides until golden brown
7. During frying, add vegetable oil to the pan if necessary.
Banana cocktail
- Banana - 1-2 pcs.
- Milk - ½ tbsp.
- Vanilla ice cream - 40-50 g
Blend all ingredients thoroughly and serve
Banana smoothie without milk
- Banana - 1-2 pcs.
- Orange juice (or soy milk) - ¾ tbsp.
Advice. You can add 1-2 tbsp as a thickener. oatmeal
Blend all ingredients thoroughly and serve
Video: How are bananas grown and harvested?
Video: Live healthy. About the benefits of banana
The delicious exotic fruit has become widespread. Surprisingly, the fruits with aromatic, mealy pulp are considered berries because they ripen on giant grass. Depending on the variety, a banana bunch can reach a weight of 30-50 kg. The plant was cultivated many centuries ago, edible varieties were bred from a variety native to southeast Asia. If you have certain diseases, eating bananas can be beneficial or harmful.
Plant varieties
Modern varieties are bred artificially. They are divided into sweet “dessert” and so-called “platano”, which require heat treatment. The contents of their fruits are unsweetened and hard, the color of the peel is green or red. They are often fed to livestock.
Low-growing varieties are grown even in Iceland; geysers provide heat for heating greenhouses. Tall varieties require an appropriate climate. The 15-meter-high plant is decorated with leaves 4 meters long and 1 meter wide.
Artificially bred varieties are incapable of self-propagation. Their genetic program lacks the ability to resist or fight various fungal diseases. This leads to the fact that once popular varieties degrade and therefore cease to be cultivated. For example, this happened with the Gros Michel variety, affected by the so-called “Panama disease”.
Currently, the most common dwarf and giant varieties are Cavendish, Robusta, Valerie, and Indian varieties Mysore and Rajapuri.
To ensure that bananas retain more benefits, they are harvested unripe. Otherwise they will become overripe. Their peel cracks, causing the aroma and taste to be lost, and the flesh is affected by various diseases.
It is better to store fruits in a cool place, at a temperature of +10..+15C. They darken quickly in the refrigerator or in a bag.
How many calories are in a banana
Weight watchers are primarily interested in the answer to the question - how many calories are in a banana? This value is not difficult to determine, knowing that the calorie content of 100 g of product is about 120 kcal.
A medium-sized fruit with peel weighs 160-180g. Therefore, the pulp accounts for 100-130g. Thus, the calorie content of one fruit without peel is
120 kcal * 130 g / 100 g = 150 kcal,
which approximately corresponds to the calorie content of 130g chicken breast fillet.
Banana composition
The fruit is rich in carbohydrates, one fruit contains up to 40g. The benefits of bananas are high in vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and choline, improves memory.
B vitamins are presented thiamine(B1), riboflavin(B2), niacin(B3, nicotinic acid), pantothenic acid(B5), pyridoxine(B6), folic acid(B9).
The highest content of vitamins B3, B5, B6:
- Vitamin B3 necessary for tissue respiration, metabolism of fats and proteins. It helps reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase the level of “good” cholesterol (HDL), improves microcirculation in the blood vessels of the brain.
- Vitamin B5 important for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, participates in the production histamine, hemoglobin, cholesterol.
- Vitamin B6 participates in synthesis serotonin, adrenaline, histamine, hemoglobin, fat. A sufficient supply of pyridoxine is important for the health of teeth, gums, and skin. In case of deficiency, fatigue increases, hair becomes thinner, and cracks form in the corners of the mouth. It is necessary in case of taking contraceptive medications or frequent stress. One fruit contains up to 30% of the recommended daily requirement vitamin B5.
Bananas are good for you high content potassium, magnesium, phosphorus. Sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium are presented in smaller numbers.
Potassium necessary for the functioning of the nervous system, as well as the heart and blood vessels. The element helps to normalize heartbeat, indicators blood pressure, reduces the risk stroke. Together with sodium, it participates in the regulation of water-salt balance.
It is believed that adults need up to 2g of potassium per day. This quantity useful element contained in three fruits.
Potassium deficiency leads to increased indicators cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, diseases kidney, promotes education cellulite. Hair and skin become dry, sudden palpitations occur, headaches, insomnia, chills, and difficulty breathing. Children may be diagnosed dystrophy.
In case of excess potassium intake, nausea occurs and loose stools appear. Blood pressure suddenly drops, it happens arrhythmia.
Magnesium needed for the absorption of potassium and calcium, maintaining optimal heart rate, decrease in indicators blood clotting, as well as tone blood vessels and smooth muscles.
Adults need 350-400 micrograms of magnesium daily. One banana contains up to 50 micrograms of useful elements. It is also contained in buckwheat, oats, brown rice, green leafy vegetables.
Magnesium deficiency may be indicated by irritability, fatigue, lack of appetite, muscle spasms or cramps.
Bananas are healthy for you sodium The most sodium is in green, unripe fruits, which allows them to be used against edema, and also as an effective diuretic, which is especially important in the case of hypertension.
The benefits of bananas for various diseases
The nutrients, vitamins and microelements contained in the fruit improve health, prevent and treat various diseases.
Dietary fiber promotes cleansing digestive system from accumulated harmful substances.
Eating fruit helps concentration, increase efficiency, reduce fatigue. Their daily inclusion in the diet tones and improves mood.
Bananas are good for speedy building up muscle mass , therefore they are regularly used by athletes. When preparing for performances, Japanese sumo wrestlers include them in their diet along with rice.
The beneficial properties of bananas help prevent the onset of impotence.
Treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases
Chopped ripe banana pulp is beneficial in case of... hemorrhoids, enteritis(inflammation of the small intestine), ulcerative colitis(inflammation of the colon mucosa), other gastrointestinal diseases, and constipation or diarrhea.
The pulp is used in treatment stomach ulcers or duodenum. Banana juice helps cope with hemorrhages in the stomach or duodenum in case of cholera And dysentery.
Bananas are beneficial for celiac disease when the intestines, due to hereditary reasons, are not able to digest gluten. Digestive activity and metabolic processes are disrupted, and a lot of waste accumulates. After consultation with a doctor, a banana diet may be prescribed.
Bananas are useful for liver diseases, they restore its function, normalize protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Other foods rich in potassium also support protein synthesis: apricots, eggplant, beet, blueberry, plums, black currant.
Benefits for the heart, blood vessels and lungs
Due to the potassium and magnesium they contain, bananas are useful to include in the diet of those suffering from atherosclerosis or hypertension.
In addition, eating fruits helps eliminate spasm of the bronchopulmonary muscles.
Recipe for treating cough or bronchitis:
- Grind the pulp of two bananas with a fork, pour in a glass of warm water with sugar, and heat. Drink the resulting juice to relieve cough.
A decoction of the green peel of a fresh banana is beneficial in treatment hypertension.
Beneficial properties of bananas against insomnia
The fruits have a hypnotic effect thanks to the amino acid tryptophan. From this amino acid it is formed melatonin, circadian rhythm regulator. Tryptophan is also found in dairy products.
In addition, bananas are useful for falling asleep due to their fairly high calorie content and significant carbohydrate content.
Getting rid of headaches
To warn headache Before a sudden change in weather, it is useful to include foods rich in potassium in your diet. First of all, bananas and also dried apricots, raisin, baked potatoes with skin.
It is worth excluding fried and spicy dishes, chocolate, spices. It is useful to drink infusions linden color, mint, oregano, coltsfoot which have a tonic effect.
Benefits of banana drinks
The healing properties of bananas are especially useful in combination with various vegetables or fruits that provide the necessary healing effect.
- Energy drink. Knead banana pulp uh, add half a glass each carrot And orange juice, a little lemon juice, teaspoon honey, to stir thoroughly. The drink is useful for preventing colds and strengthening the nervous system.
- Vitamin cocktail. Get juices 1 orange, half lemon, grapefruit, quarters pineapple, banana, mix everything. The cocktail is beneficial as a general tonic. Take morning and evening.
Healthy foods are prepared from dried fruits herbal teas:
- When increased irritability the following composition is beneficial: mix 10g dried bananas, 3 parts of inflorescences daisies, 2 parts valerian root, 5 parts of fruit cumin. Brew 1 tsp. mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain. Take 1/2 cup morning and evening.
- When nervous disorders, weakness of the heart muscle, mix flowers in equal parts hawthorn, chamomile pharmacy, motherwort, cucumber, 10g dried bananas. Brew 1 tsp. mixture with a glass of boiling water, wrap and leave for 6-8 hours. Take 1/2 cup 3 times a day.
To diversify your diet, blend in a blender banana pulp, yogurt, fruit juice , berries, A little ice cream. The result is a delicious and satisfying dessert.
By preparing a decoction from thoroughly washed banana peels or by obtaining juice from an unpeeled banana, it is possible to reduce the symptoms of depression.
Why do you need to wash bananas, oranges, grapes, berries?
Fruits and berries, especially those brought from afar, must be washed before eating. The fact is that they are processed differently fungicides, toxic substances against fungal plant diseases. When peeling the fruit, fungicides can enter the body and cause severe poisoning.
Imported apples should not only be washed, but also peeled. To remove fungicides, grapes and berries should be soaked in water for several minutes, then thoroughly rinsed two or three times in a colander.
What are the benefits of banana peels?
Used for preventive purposes, the drink increases the body's defenses and strengthens the immune system. During the fermentation process of banana peels, substances are formed that prevent the development of cancer.
- Dissolve 1 cup of boiled water at room temperature in a three-liter jar granulated sugar, 2-3 cups chopped banana peel, 1 tsp. sour cream. Tie the neck with 2-3 layers of gauze. Leave for up to two weeks; fermentation is faster in a warm room.
Pour 1 liter of finished kvass into a separate container and store at room temperature. IN three liter jar add 1/3 cup sugar and boiled water to the top.
Drink 1/2 cup of prepared kvass half an hour before meals. When it runs out, pour 1 liter again into a separate bowl, and add water and sugar to a three-liter jar. After 3-4 cycles, the kvass will become weaker, so it will have to be put in again.
How to dry bananas at home
When dried, excess moisture is removed from the fruit, causing bananas to significantly decrease in volume, but retain their beneficial properties.
Ripe fruits are used for drying. They are peeled and cut into slices. Place tracing paper or special silicone-coated baking paper on a baking sheet. Slices are laid out on it.
The oven temperature is maintained at +40..+50C. It takes 3-6 hours to dry completely. A constant supply of fresh air is necessary, so it is better to keep the oven door ajar. When the slices have cooled, they are placed in glass jars.
Banana peels are dried in a similar way.
Banana face masks
- Mash the pulp with a fork, add lemon juice. Apply to facial skin for half an hour. Rinse with warm water, apply nourishing cream.
- Grind the berries sea buckthorn, add 2 tbsp. crushed dried bananas, yolk chicken egg, 1 tsp. sour cream, mix everything thoroughly. Apply to face for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
- Grind 1 tbsp. almonds, add 2 tbsp dried powder bananas, 1 tsp. sour cream, chicken yolk, mix until smooth. Apply the mask for half an hour, then rinse with warm water.
Banana hair masks
- Cook pumpkin, prepare the puree, let cool. Add 2 tbsp. crushed dried bananas, egg yolk, 1 tsp. honey, to stir thoroughly. Apply to damp hair and lightly rub into skin. Cover your head with film and a towel for an hour and a half. Rinse with warm acidified water.
- Stir 2 tbsp. dried bananas, yolk chicken egg, 1 tbsp. peach oil , 1 tsp. lemon juice , 1/2 tsp vinegar. Apply to hair, cover with film and a towel for half an hour. Rinse with acidified water.
Cosmetic procedures are performed 1-2 times a week for a month.
Harm and contraindications
Despite the health benefits, in some cases, eating bananas can be harmful.
First of all, due to their significant calorie content, their consumption should be limited to those suffering from overweight.
Fruits are digested rather slowly, often causing gas accumulation and obstructing the flow of bile. It is better to eat them in small portions, not to wash them down with water.
Fruits and banana juice contraindicated in case of increased acidity gastric juice.
At diabetes mellitus You should not eat fresh ripe fruits, although they are useful for hypoglycemic attack. In other cases, it is better for diabetics to choose unripe or cooked fruits.
Bananas increase blood viscosity and are therefore contraindicated. varicose veins, coronary heart disease, thrombophlebitis, after heart attack or stroke.
In children, the fruits may cause allergies, so they should be included in the diet gradually, observing the reaction of the child’s body.
When asthma Excessive intake of potassium, which is contained in significant quantities in bananas, is harmful. To avoid an attack, you should take care to include it in your diet. required quantity salt. To increase the air exchange capacity of the lungs, it is useful to add salt to bananas, their juice, and watermelons. This measure helps balance the intake of potassium and sodium into the body and enhance taste sensations.
Attacks of headaches with migraine may be caused by eating certain foods, including fruits – bananas, raisins, citrus.
There are few people who don't like bananas. These tropical fruits are considered ideal food for almost everyone: they do not cause any allergic reactions even in the smallest children, and are also recognized as one of the best aphrodisiacs. In addition, they do not require special storage conditions, since nature has endowed these fruits with a unique natural “packaging”. Let's find out what the benefits and harms of bananas are.
To the question: “Are bananas healthy?”, we will answer this way - bananas, in most cases, are beneficial. But, nevertheless, doctors do not recommend eating them unripe, since such fruits contain insoluble starch, and the human body is not able to process it. Therefore, unripe bananas can cause gas formation and fermentation in the intestines. And when ripe, starch is almost completely converted into sugar, for this reason ripe bananas are not only much sweeter, but also easier to digest.
These exotic fruits are widely used in baby food, especially for those babies who suffer from stomach upsets, since ripe bananas have a strengthening effect. Many people suffering from stomach ulcers claim that bananas help relieve pain. There have even been studies confirming the therapeutic effect of fruits on stomach ulcers.
Bananas are a rich source of potassium. Three fruits of the fruit contain it, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart. vascular system. That is why doctors advise patients with arrhythmia and hypertension to eat bananas. It is due to their potassium content that they are a product that lowers blood pressure.
Also, due to the presence of potassium in their composition, bananas have the ability to remove excess fluid from the body. Therefore, they are assistants in the fight against edema. In addition, the fruits contain almost no salt, which makes them an ideal remedy for lowering blood pressure.
Bananas also contain great amount iron, and this contributes to the production of hemoglobin in the blood.
The substance ephedrine contained in bananas, when consumed regularly, improves the functioning of the central nervous system, and this affects mood, attention and overall performance.
Bananas are easy to digest. And the fibers that make up fruits contribute to the fastest recovery of postoperative patients, and also help with postoperative complications. They are useful for burns. It is enormous for the body of cancer patients during radiation or chemotherapy.
Scientists have proven that in these tropical fruits contains substances similar in structure to endorphins and serotonin (known as the “happiness hormone”). They help to feel a surge of pleasure and strength, improve mood, and also increase a person’s intellectual activity. And the potassium and magnesium contained in bananas significantly reduce the likelihood of stress, which is great value at the time of autumn depressions.
Bananas also help well with mosquito bites: to make the itching go away, you just need to wipe the affected area with the inside of its peel.
These fruits are also useful for gastritis. Banana pulp contains starch and pectin, so they have an enveloping effect. In addition, they are softer than many other fruits, for example, apples.
For those who are trying to quit smoking, bananas are also useful, since they contain B1 and B6, potassium and magnesium, which calm the nervous system and are valuable helpers in getting rid of smoking.
They can also help with heartburn, since they are absorbed into and removed from the stomach. However, it should be understood that bananas for heartburn only relieve the symptom. And if you suffer from it constantly, you should consult a doctor.
When considering the topic of the benefits and harms of bananas, one cannot fail to mention that people suffering from excess weight and diabetes mellitus, it is not recommended to eat bananas, since they contain a lot of fructose and sugar, but little glucose.
The benefits and harms of bananas cannot be regarded as absolute values. After all, each product contains both good stuff, which help with various diseases, and substances that are harmful. Moreover, depending on the specific situation, one substance can have both positive and detrimental effects. For example, bananas help hypertensive patients by helping to lower blood pressure. But if it is recommended to hypotensive patients, the consequences can be disastrous.
To the conditional harmful property bananas can be attributed to the fact that they are quite high in calories because they contain a lot of starch. Therefore, it is better for those suffering from excess weight to limit their consumption.
Those who suffer from diabetes and other diseases associated with increased blood sugar should not overuse bananas.
If you have very thick blood, bananas may be harmful because they stimulate the production of hemoglobin.
It turns out that the same properties may contain the benefits and harms of bananas at the same time. All this is individual. In any case, everyone can eat a couple of bananas in a month. Be healthy!
Almost everyone knows that eating fruit has a beneficial effect on the body. One of the most affordable exotic fruits is bananas, they are sold all year round, do not cause allergies, many people like them. It is worth talking in more detail about how this product affects your health.
What's in bananas?
It's hard to believe, but this plant is not a fruit, but a berry. Are bananas good for your health? Yes, because they contain a lot of vitamins, minerals, microelements necessary for normal functioning human body. Bananas contain:
- cellulose;
- amino acids;
- Apple acid;
- pectin;
- sucrose;
- ascorbic acid;
- carbohydrates, proteins and fats;
- vitamin C (protects against infections);
- fructose;
- manganese;
- serotonin;
- copper;
- thiamine (vitamin B1 promotes the digestibility of carbohydrates);
- sodium;
- fluorine;
- vitamin PP (good effect on the brain, central nervous system);
- carotene (has a positive effect on vision, skin, hair, nails);
- selenium;
- phosphorus;
- calcium;
- vitamin B2 (helps wounds heal faster, has a good effect on the digestive system);
- zinc;
- magnesium (good for the brain, nervous system, blood vessels);
- iron;
- choline;
- pyridoxine (vitamin B6 promotes the production of gastric juice, strengthens nerves, stimulates the production of serotonin);
- potassium (has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, removes excess fluid);
- folic acid (useful for female genital organs).
Bananas - benefits and harm to the body
First of all, it is worth noting that it is recommended to consume only fresh fruits. Overripe ones are dangerous to eat, but unripe ones are full of starch. What are the benefits and harms of bananas for the body? Scroll positive properties which they have:
- have a beneficial effect on the digestive organs;
- help with weight loss (in combination with sour cream, cottage cheese);
- remove excess fluid;
- together with milk and herbs help cure bronchitis;
- enhance the growth of muscle tissue;
- make blood vessels stronger and more elastic;
- reduce blood viscosity;
- good for the intestines and liver;
- give energy;
- help eliminate constipation;
- normalize intestinal-alkaline balance;
- strengthen the nervous system;
- remove harmful substances.
It cannot be said that bananas are harmful, but they have a number of contraindications. It is better to avoid them for those people who have diabetes, thrombophlebitis, ischemia, increased blood coagulation, dysentery. It is advisable not to eat them for babies under one year old, and for mothers who are breastfeeding. The specific list of positive and negative properties of the fruit depends on its variety and processing method.
Green bananas - benefits and harm
The fruits of this variety are large. They have a slightly astringent taste, so they are more suitable for making stews, purees, and chips. They have an extremely positive effect on the digestive system. The benefits and harms of green bananas are due to the presence of indigestible starch in their composition. Thanks to him, a person feels full longer. Regular consumption of green bananas significantly reduces the risk of developing stomach ulcers and alleviates the course of this disease in those people who already suffer from it. In addition, the fruit has a very good effect on the cardiovascular system.
Dried bananas - benefits and harms
Dried fruits have more calories than fresh ones. The benefits and harms of dried bananas should be carefully weighed before consuming them. It is better to avoid such fruits for people prone to obesity, patients with diabetes, and those who have recently experienced a stroke or heart attack. They are prohibited in case of dispersion and increased flatulence. Their benefits are as follows:
- have a positive effect on the digestive system;
- help in the fight against constipation;
- prevent anemia;
- normalize the menstrual cycle.
Boiled bananas - benefits and harms
When heat treated, the fruits become sweeter, but lose some of the nutrients. In general, boiled bananas have the same properties as fresh or dried bananas. However, only in very small quantities and extremely rarely are they allowed to be consumed by people suffering from diabetes. Some of the sugar leaves them, although this affects the taste in a positive way.
The benefits of bananas for women
Representatives of the fair sex should definitely include this fruit in their diet. Beneficial properties of banana for women:
- When consumed, toxins are removed from the body and it is cleansed at the cellular level.
- Women who eat one banana every day have very beautiful skin. She looks young and fit.
- Bananas help with depression, ease PMS, and reduce abdominal pain during menstruation.
- These fruits are useful for the prevention of cancer due to the carotene and vitamin B they contain.
- Fruits are useful for preventing migraines. They reduce the intensity of headaches.
- When eating fruits, the body produces more oxytocin.
- If a woman eats this fruit during pregnancy, she will stop feeling sick. There is no need to abuse them, it causes bloating.
Benefits of bananas for men
Not only women’s bodies benefit from the consumption of this fruit. Benefits of banana for men:
- Fruits have a positive effect on potency and the health of the genital organs in general due to the tryptophan they contain. They increase sperm motility, which is very useful for couples who are having problems conceiving.
- Fruits give you energy. This is especially important for those men who play sports or do physical labor.
- The fruits help restore muscle tissue.
- Fruits lower blood pressure. This is very important for men because they are more susceptible to hypertension. They reduce the risk of blood clots.
Benefits of bananas for children
Many parents argue about whether these fruits should be included in the diet of their children. You can give it from 6 months, but it is better to wait a year. A child is unlikely to refuse such a treat. If your baby starts to swell or develop a rash, then temporarily exclude this product from his diet, and then reintroduce it gradually, in small portions. Benefits of bananas for children:
- Eating fruit increases concentration and relieves fatigue.
- The fruits have a general strengthening effect and improve sleep.
- Helps form bone tissue and muscles.
- Stimulates brain function.
How many bananas can you eat per day?
This question is very relevant for all sweet fruit lovers. You can eat bananas every day, but no more than two or three. From this amount the body receives the daily requirement of vitamins, nutrients. As for children, depending on their age, they can be given from a quarter to two fruits a day. Girls on a strict diet or prone to obesity should avoid bananas. If you really want, you can eat a small piece, but very rarely and only on an empty stomach for breakfast.
Banana peel - beneficial properties
It is not only the pulp of the fruit that is used. The benefits of banana peel are as follows:
- The crust is rich in minerals, antioxidants, waxes, macroelements, oils.
- Included in masks for the face and body. Relieves irritation.
- The skin is used in medicine to combat psoriasis, warts, and acne.
- Used for teeth whitening.
Video: the benefits and harm of bananas
Loading...