Good reasons to eat bananas

Bananas’ health benefits make bananas one of the most nutritious fruits in the world. And the fact that bananas taste good makes bananas all the more popular.

Depressed people often feel better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. This powerful hormone is known to make human body relax, improve mood and generally make people feel happier.

Bananas have a characteristics array of phytonutrients. Those that have received most attention in the raw fruit are carotenoids, flavonoids and phenolics acids.

Phenolics compounds are ubiquitous in fresh and dried bananas. They not only contribute to the taste and color of plant-derived foods and beverages but also to the health benefits associated with consumption of diets high in fruits and vegetables.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose ad glucose and combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

Bananas are among the few where fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have been detected. They appear to promote the growth of beneficial intestinal flora and suppress the growth of potential pathogens in the colon.

Banana is high in potassium, yet low in sodium, bananas are very effective in balancing blood pressure. And for the same reason, students were found to be more alert and to show increased academic performance when eating bananas regularly.

In one study of 200 students made at Twickenham, Middlesex, those students who ate a banana for breakfast, break and lunch were more alert and achieved better exam result than those who did not eat banana.

Banana neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Having a natural antacid effect, bananas have helped people suffering with heartburn.
Good reasons to eat bananas

Protein consumption

Protein consumption
Protein seems to have more positive image than the other macronutrients. Unlike carbohydrates and fats, protein is usually associated with promoting good health and increasing one’s strength and vitality.

Athletes often choose high protein foods or take protein supplements with the promise of increasing muscle mass, strength and endurance.

But does dietary protein deserve such a positive reputation? Does it really increase a person’s strength and vitality? Should we be concerned about eating to much protein?

First, as an essential nutrient, protein is required in the diet to replace body proteins that degraded as part of normal metabolism.

Most people in developed countries consume about twice as much protein as the body needs.

Second, the body uses only what it needs, so excess dietary protein in mostly “burned” for energy. Consuming excess protein doest not automatically make muscles larger or become stronger – only exercise will do that.

Finally, consuming high protein diets does have some risks. The processing of protein in the body requires lots of water.

Consequently, dehydration is a common problem, particularly for people who exercise and lose even more water through sweat and evaporation.

Also, the kidneys arte the only organs that can process the waste products metabolism for elimination in the urine.

An excess of dietary protein over time can overwhelm the kidneys and cause permanent damage.

Like all nutrients, protein should be consumed as part of an overall balanced diet that contains adequate - but not excessive - amounts of protein.

Overconsumption of protein can easily occur in economically developed countries where both animal and plant foods containing protein are readily available.
Protein consumption