12 Uses of Banana for Health

Banana is an excellent food item to help you stay healthy. It is full of antioxidants that can fight disease and help you overcome depression. And, it is also an effective natural remedy to reduce blood pressure and glycemia. In addition, the fiber in the fruit can also help you maintain a balanced diet.

Reduce glycemia and diabetes

Bananas are packed with fiber, potassium, and a variety of nutrients. They are also known to help maintain blood sugar levels.

Bananas may not be a natural source of glucose for everyone. Some people can be sensitive to their effects on glucose, however. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating bananas in moderation.

Having a small serving of fruit at breakfast can help reduce glycemia and diabetes. If you choose to eat a banana at breakfast, consider combining it with other foods that are higher in protein and slower-digesting nutrients. For example, a slice of banana added to a Greek yogurt smoothie can help to keep blood sugar levels in check.

Another great pairing for bananas is peanut butter. Peanut butter is loaded with heart-healthy plant-based fats. Adding a few slices of a ripe banana to your peanut butter can add an antioxidant boost.

The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a food or beverage will raise your blood sugar level. This measure is calculated by comparing a food’s carbohydrate content to its portion size. A green banana has less sugar and is more resistant to spiking your blood sugar than a red banana.

Although bananas are good for people with diabetes, you should always consult with your health care provider to determine the right amount to consume. Read nutrition labels to make sure you are getting the right amount.

Besides bananas, other fruits and veggies contain carbohydrates. If you are following a low-carb diet, you will need to work with a health care professional to ensure your daily intake is correct.

One of the best ways to eat bananas is by cutting them in half. This will prevent you from wasting the other half.

Prevent leukemia

Bananas are rich in antioxidants, and may help prevent leukemia. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. However, they haven’t been studied for their cancer-fighting properties. Rather, the research has focused on in vitro studies.

The phytochemical composition of bananas varies depending on the variety, climate, and soil. It can be categorized into three groups: flavonoids, polyphenols, and cinnamic acids.

Several studies have shown that bananas can reduce the risk of childhood leukemia. This effect is especially noteworthy because children are more likely to develop this type of disease than adults.

In addition, bananas contain a significant amount of potassium. According to some studies, this mineral may stabilize DNA, reducing the likelihood of mutation. Additionally, it may protect against oxidative DNA damage. Some studies have also suggested that oranges and other bright-colored fruits can reduce the risk of childhood leukemia.

Bananas are also known to reduce the risk of breast cancer. A study found that the phytochemicals present in the plant were able to inhibit cell proliferation in the MCF-7 cell line. Moreover, they were able to induce apoptosis.

As a result, a number of studies have been conducted to identify the bioactive components of bananas. These include the inhibition of angiogenesis, cell adhesion, cell cycle arrest, and tumor growth.

Phytochemicals from bananas also modulate different signaling pathways. Thus, they have been identified as promising medicinal agents for cancer therapy.

Bananas also contain chlorogenic acid, which was found to have potent cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells. Furthermore, it induced the cleavage of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Similarly, PCA increased the mRNA levels of ATF3 proteins.

Although the research on the potential of bananas to prevent leukemia is limited, it does show promise. It’s also important to note that there are some pharmacokinetic constraints, as well as limitations in delivery.

Reduce oxidative damage to cells

Banana peel is a useful raw material that contains antioxidants. Its antioxidant effects are due to its biologically active compounds. In addition to its use as a food additive, banana peel can be used for cosmetics and to enrich UV protection cream. Moreover, the study aims to demonstrate the cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of banana peel.

The study involved twenty healthy volunteers. For this purpose, banana fruit and peel were extracted, processed and characterized. Enzyme activity was determined using phosphate buffer and centrifugation. A higher enzyme activity indicates a lower oxidative stress. Various biological parameters of banana peel, including SOD, CAT, LOX, GR and PPO were measured.

The results showed that hydrogen sulfide fumigation has a positive effect on the oxidative stress of bananas. It suppressed the lipid peroxidation and increased the activity of AsA-glutathione cycle and proline accumulation. Furthermore, it decreased the chlorophyllase and PPO activity.

The endogenous H2O2 content of treated banana fruits was 1.36-fold higher than that of untreated control. Interestingly, the increase in superoxide anion concentrations was significantly lower than that of the control. Also, the ion leakage decreased significantly in the treated bananas. Likewise, the chilling injury index also decreased.

After 10 days of cold storage, the DHAR activity and chlorophyllase activity in hydrogen sulfide fumigated bananas were not affected compared with the controls. However, the activity of chlorophyll peroxidase and LOX was lower in the fumigated groups compared with the controls. Additionally, the PPO activity was lower in the fumigated groups versus the controls.

Besides the enzyme activity, the treatment also had an influence on the plasma lipid peroxide and oxidative stress. This could be due to its impact on the endogenous enzymes associated with the H2S biosynthesis process.

Help to overcome depression

A banana may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to a depressed state of mind, but the fruit has a host of benefits that can go a long way toward alleviating the moodiness. They also help in keeping the bowels functioning properly, which is always a plus when it comes to a mental health condition.

If you are not up to the task of consuming the fruit, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate it into your diet. Bananas are also great for fighting the evils of a poor night’s sleep, as the fruit is a natural antacid. It can also be a great source of potassium, an essential mineral for a healthy immune system.

The benefits of eating bananas is no secret, but you might not be aware that the fruit is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Not only does the fruit contain the vitamin B6 that you need to boost your serotonin levels, but it is also a great source of magnesium, which is a substance that relaxes muscles and may help you fall asleep faster.

For more serious cases of depression, you might want to consider talking to your doctor about your options. While you’re at it, be sure to talk to your registered dietician about incorporating a healthy eating plan into your routine. This will help you avoid the many pitfalls of a diet heavy with junk foods.

One final tip for overcoming depression is to get some exercise into your schedule. Studies show that exercise may help improve your mood and reduce the incidence of depressive symptoms. In addition to exercise, you may want to try meditation, which has been found to improve mental well-being.

Lower blood pressure

A banana is a fruit rich in potassium and other essential nutrients. In fact, a medium-sized banana has around 350 milligrams of potassium. It also contains vitamin C and fibre.

Potassium is vital for maintaining the fluid balance in the cells. When excess sodium is present in the body, it disrupts the water balance. This extra pressure puts stress on blood vessels. Eating a diet high in potassium may help lower blood pressure. Similarly, a diet that includes foods with low sodium content can help lower blood pressure.

Bananas contain fiber and antioxidants, which are good for your health. They can help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Bananas are also beneficial for people with high blood pressure. Studies have shown that eating two bananas per day for seven days reduces systolic blood pressure by up to 10 percent. If you have hypertension, you should consult a doctor before adding bananas to your diet.

People who are diabetic can also benefit from bananas. Eating them can also help improve nerve function and reduce muscle cramps.

People who are concerned about kidney problems should not eat too many bananas. The potassium in bananas can be dangerous for people with kidney disease. Those with respiratory issues should not eat bananas at night.

Some studies have found that consuming pomegranate juice can lower blood pressure. However, this is only a short-term effect. Other studies have found that eating a diet with a high amount of potassium can decrease systolic blood pressure. Similarly, a diet rich in oats can help reduce diastolic BP.

Eating a diet rich in potassium can also help reduce the risk of stroke. Moreover, a diet that contains omega-3 fatty acids may also help.