Why you should eat bananas everyday in the morning? There are numerous health benefits of banana in Ayurveda.
Medicinal uses of banana suggests evidence based banana benefits for women, banana benefits for skin and banana benefits for weight loss.
Bananas are rich in fiber, antioxidants and several nutrients – Potassium (9%), Vitamin B6 (33%), Vitamin C (11%), Magnesium (8%), Copper (10%), Manganese (14%), Carbs (24 grams), Fiber (3.1 grams), Protein (1.3 grams), Fat (0.4 grams), and about 105 calories.
It is interesting to know that Banana is one of the fruits with almost no fat. Bananas are excellent source of manganese, potassium, and vitamins C and B6.
Below are the health benefits of eating banana early morning on empty stomach during pregnancy and eating banana before workout for weight loss.
1. Energy Source
Bananas are boon for sports person and athletes. It is very powerful in replenishing energy and electrolytes in a human body. Banana has serotonin and dopamine which improves the antioxidant capacity.
A ripe banana has three natural kinds of sugar – sucrose, fructose and glucose. This makes banana a fat and cholesterol-free source of energy. It is also a good source of magnesium, essential for heart health.
2. Heart Health
Bananas are good for the human heart. Since Bananas are packed with potassium (mineral electrolyte) it helps keep electricity flowing throughout your body (required for heart beating).
Together with sodium, bananas’ potassium helps protect the cardiovascular system against high blood pressure and any possible muscular ailment.
3. Fights Depression and Anxiety
Bananas are very good for people suffering from depression and mood anxiety. Bananas have high levels of tryptophan (converted to serotonin) which is known as the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter.
Together with B6, Bananas help the brain function, grant peaceful sleep, fight any kind of sleep disorder and relax muscles. Bananas have several types of antioxidants (dopamine and catechins) which are good for the human body.
4. Helps Digestion and Weight Loss
Bananas help weight loss because they’re low in calories and high in nutrients & fiber. It is to be noted that one banana can provide nearly 10% of the daily fiber requirement.
Bananas have pectin and resistant starch which have appetite-reducing effects and thus eating bananas can increase the feeling of fullness. Since bananas taste sweet and are filling, it helps curb cravings.
5. Great for Bones
Bananas are very effective in keeping bones strong. Bananas contain an abundance of fructooligosaccharides (a non digestive carbohydrates) which enhances body’s ability to absorb calcium.
Bananas’ Vitamin B6 supports the production of glutathione antioxidant, which is essential to protecting bone cells from oxidative damage. The Manganese produces collagen which makes up much of the bone.
Banana has Copper which constructs connective tissue throughout the body and Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which protects the bones from oxidative damage.
Apart from above these, Manganese in Banana is good for the skin.
Note that the side effects to bananas are rare but may induce digestive ailments. Also, when consumed in very high doses, bananas may cause high blood levels of potassium which is not good for a human body.
Keep in mind that since Banana is high in starch, it can cause tooth decay if you consume excess of it (like 4-5 bananas a day).