by The intake of a balanced diet must include all food groups, in sufficient quantities so that the body obtains the nutrients it needs to perform its functions correctly. Fruits and vegetables should not be missing from this diet.
One of those fruits is the banana, which is characterized by its content of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that provide various benefits to the body. Amid the variety of options available in terms of fruit, this is one of the most important sources of potassium, with a contribution of approximately 450 milligrams for each unit.
Healthy adults not taking certain medications should aim for 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day, although few people reach that goal. A high intake of potassium would help reduce high blood pressure. It has also been linked to a lower risk of cerebrovascular event and possibly heart disease, according to the Digital Health portal.
Good for controlling blood pressure
Regarding this aspect, the doctor Nelton Abdon Ramos Rojas, in a publication in the Mejor con Salud magazine, indicates that the potassium in bananas, around 8% of the recommended daily dose, would not only help control blood pressure , but also to reduce the possibility of suffering atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident.
Atherosclerosis is a frequent condition that appears when the plaque generated by the accumulation of fat sticks inside the arteries, says the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which indicates that diseases related to this condition are the main cause of death in the United States.
According to the experts of the American Heart Association, foods rich in potassium are important for the treatment of arterial hypertension, since this is a mineral that decreases the effects of sodium, which has great incidence in the behavior of the tension. According to the aforementioned source, the more potassium a person eats, the more sodium they eliminate through the urine.
On the other hand, according to specialist Ramos Rojas, bananas contain high levels of fructoolgosaccharides (also called oligofructoses or oligofructans or abbreviated FOS), which promote calcium absorption. FOS nourish healthy bacteria in the colon and increase the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Calcium, according to the US National Library of Medicine, is one of the most valuable minerals for the human body. Helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones. An adequate level of this compound in the body over a lifetime can help prevent the development of diseases such as osteoporosis.
More contributions to health
The Mind Body portal highlights that bananas or plantains are favorable for regaining strength. For example, if consumed after exercising, it increases endurance capacity. This is one of its main benefits and is due to the fact that it provides a good combination of carbohydrates and potassium, both necessary for muscular activity.
Additionally, it provides the body with B vitamins, essential for the production of energy in the cells. A medium banana provides 20% of the vitamin B6 that a person requires per day and 12% of the folic acid. In addition, these vitamins protect the immune and nervous systems.
Banana is also a good food when it comes to improving digestive processes. One of its benefits is to regulate intestinal transit, although it varies depending on whether it is more or less mature.. For example, greens improve intestinal transit due to their starch content and non-assimilable carbohydrates, although they are more indigestible and can also cause flatulence. On the contrary, ripe bananas are recommended in case of diarrhea because soften the inflamed digestive mucosa.
Well ripe and consumed before meals, bananas have the ability to neutralize excess gastric acidity and soothe heartburn, according to the Mind Body portal.
