Six Health Benefits From Eating Bananas

Written by Isabella Boston, medical writer & health blogger

Health & Wellness Disclosure: The information provided in this post is for educational purposes only. To the best of my knowledge, all information and advice are believed to be accurate and true. Please consult with a health specialist, medical practitioner, or doctor before making any decisions that may impact your health or well-being. 

People have grown bananas and have enjoyed their many health benefits since ancient times[1]. They are not only delicious, but also convenient.

You can enjoy bananas raw, eat them with your favorite cereal, or make banana bread or muffins from them. The possibilities are endless.

In addition, bananas can be found all year long at your local grocery store, are easily stored, and come inside their carrying case!

Health Benefits of Bananas[2]

Bananas are native to Southeast Asia and come from a family of plants called Musa. They are grown in many of the warmer climates of the world.

They are a healthy source of potassium, fiber, Vitamin C, vitamin B6, and various phytonutrients and antioxidants.

There are many sizes and types of bananas, and their color can range from green to yellow. There are even some varieties in red!

Six Health Benefits of Eating Bananas

1. Best source of vitamin B6[3] ~ Vitamin B6 helps your body to produce red blood cells and to maintain a healthy nervous system. It also metabolizes carbohydrates and fats and converts them into energy. This important vitamin helps your liver and kidneys to remove unwanted chemicals.

2. Good source of vitamin C ~ A medium-sized banana provides you with 10% of your daily needs. Vitamin C produces serotonin, an important hormone that affects your moods, sleep cycle, and stress and pain. It also helps your body to absorb iron, to produce collagen for your skin and bones, and it protects your body against cell and tissue damage.

3. Provides manganese ~ A medium-sized banana provides you with approximately 13% of your recommended daily manganese intake. Manganese helps your body to produce collagen; It also protects your skin and other cells from free radical damage.

4. Provides potassium ~ Bananas are a good source of potassium and will provide you with about 320mg to 400 mg a day. This meets about 10% of your recommended daily intake. Potassium also helps your body to maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. Bananas are low in sodium. This, in combination with the high potassium, helps your body to regulate high blood pressure.

5. Aids in digestion ~ Soluble and insoluble fibers are instrumental in maintaining good health. Soluble fibers support your body in controlling your blood sugar level, and they rid the body of fatty substances like cholesterol. Insoluble fiber regulates your stools, making it easier to have regular bowel movements. This protects your gut from harmful bacteria while also keeping it healthy and safe. Bananas help you fight against constipation, stomach ulcers, and heartburn.

6. Gives you energy ~ Bananas provide you with a fat and cholesterol-free source of energy. They provide three natural sugars: fructose, sucrose, and glucose. This makes them a perfect choice for breakfast, a midday snack, or before and after working out.

Fun fact: There are more than 1,000 varieties of bananas grown in over 150 countries. Cavendish is the most commercialized variety, accounting for about 47% of global production.

References

[1] History of bananas: Australian banana growers. Australian Banana Growers |. (2019, September 26). Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://abgc.org.au/our-industry/history-of-bananas/

[2] Encyclopedia.com. (2023, January 12). ." The Gale Encyclopedia of Science. . encyclopedia.com. 20 Dec. 2022 .Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/bananas

[3] Hota, O. (2022, February 23). Vitamins in bananas: Why you should have one today! femina. in. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.femina.in/food/vitamins-in-bananas-220069.html

Author’s Bio

Isabella Boston is a wordsmith and the creator of Bella’s Attic Studio. She is well-versed in copywriting, scientific research, informative articles, and medical content writing, with a focus on the areas of neuroscience and immunology. She is also a diarist and a published author.

When Isabella is not writing, she enjoys reading, vintage-style fashion, learning a new language, and spreading God’s Holy Word.

"Together we can share your stories, promote your cause, and connect you to your target audience one word at a time."