Banana – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

06/21/2017 / By Frances Bloomfield

Bananas are an edible, tropical fruit grown and consumed all over the world. There are many banana varieties, with the most common and popular one being the Cavendish banana. As a whole, bananas are a highly nutritious fruit with an array of culinary and medicinal uses. Bananas have been used as moderate anti-stress agents and antibiotics. The antacid properties of bananas have made them useful in soothing the gastrointestinal tract, while their mild antibacterial properties are good for detoxification.

List of known nutrients

Bananas are most known for being rich in potassium, a mineral crucial in regulating muscle contractions and cell waste product movement. Apart from potassium, bananas offer a variety of other essential minerals and vitamins:

Biotin
Fiber
Folic acid
Iodine
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Pyridoxine
Riboflavin
Vitamin A
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Tryptophan
Zinc

Medicinal uses for bananas

The abundance of nutrients in bananas have given it a reputation as one of the healthiest fruits.

Pectin is a fiber whose functions go beyond giving bananas its structural form; pectin improves digestive health, balances blood sugar levels and regulates bowel movement. The vitamin C in bananas supports the immune system and combats against free radicals; vitamin A reduces the risk of night blindness and maintains vision. Antioxidants like dopamine and catechin can mitigate toxins and free radicals. Tryptophan is an amino acid that boosts mood and preserves memory, so bananas can also improve one’s mood and mind.

Other medicinal uses for bananas include:

Alcoholism
Bowel problems
Colitis
Constipation
Drug addiction
Excessive thirst
Fluid retention
Heart disease
Hemorrhoids
High blood pressure
Hypertension
Peptic ulcers
Rheumatoid arthritis
Stomach disorders
Stomach ulcers

Body systems supported by bananas

Consuming bananas on a regular basis will care for the following organs:

Bowels
Circulatory system
Digestive system
Digestive tract
Spleen
Stomach

Apart from improving digestive health, banana fibers also make it filling as a meal, thereby reducing appetite. Bananas contain the most important minerals for heart health: potassium, which lowers blood pressure, and magnesium, which regulates heartbeat.

Ways to use bananas

Bananas are an extremely versatile, and can be incorporated into one’s daily diet in a number of ways. Bananas can be blended into a smoothie, added into pancakes or waffles, or baked into breads, bars or muffins. Bananas can also be enjoyed as is, or covered with peanut butter for flavor and added protein. A quick and simple, two-ingredient pancake recipe uses only bananas and eggs, which is just one more way to eat pancakes and reap the benefits of protein- and amino-acid rich eggs.