Banana's Remarkable Health Benefits
Bananas have several remarkable health benefits. In Hainan, bananas are available almost all year round. As a "commoner" among tropical fruits, bananas are affordable, sweet and delicious, making them a staple in people's fruit baskets. What other benefits do bananas offer? Today, let's hear what nutritionists have to say.
On sports fields, especially during endurance events like tennis matches, athletes are often seen peeling and eating bananas during short breaks. Is it to fill their stomachs or replenish energy? During exercise, eating too much is not advisable. Snacking on bananas mid-game primarily aims to quickly restore energy lost by the body.
Nutritionists say football and tennis players often eat bananas before games, which helps improve performance. From a nutritional perspective, the sugars in bananas can be rapidly converted into glucose and absorbed by the body immediately, serving as a quick source of energy.
Bananas are high in potassium. Potassium ions help strengthen muscle strength and endurance, making them particularly popular among athletes.
Bananas Help Lower Blood Pressure
Nutritionists point out that potassium in the body inhibits sodium, so eating more bananas can lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Studies show that eating two bananas daily can effectively reduce blood pressure by 10%.
Many mothers give their children bananas when they suffer from constipation—this is absolutely correct. Nutritionists say bananas contain abundant soluble fiber, namely pectin, which aids digestion and regulates gastrointestinal function.
Bananas also benefit those suffering from insomnia or emotional stress because the proteins in bananas contain amino acids that have a calming effect on nerves. Thus, eating a banana before bedtime can have a mild sedative effect.
Not Suitable for Everyone
Although bananas are highly nutritious, they aren't suitable for everyone. Nutritionists say bananas are high in potassium, so individuals with acute or chronic nephritis or impaired kidney function should avoid overeating them. It is recommended that such patients limit intake to half a banana per day. Additionally, bananas are high in sugar—about 120 calories per banana (equivalent to half a bowl of white rice)—so diabetics must pay close attention to portion control.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Value of Bananas
TCM practitioners say bananas are cold in nature and sweet in taste. Ancient texts already recorded their nutritional value and benefits, including clearing heat and detoxifying, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation, moisturizing the lungs and stopping coughing, lowering blood pressure, and nourishing the body. Bananas are considered a premium fruit, truly cost-effective and high-quality.
However, due to their cold nature, people with stomach pain, cold abdomen, or spleen-stomach deficiency should eat fewer bananas.
Introducing Some Ancient Ways to Eat Bananas
According to ancient books, here are several traditional methods of eating bananas—quite "fresh" for modern people:
· Roast two bananas with their peels over fire, then eat them while hot to improve hemorrhoids and bloody stools;
· For chapped hands and feet caused by cold, rub the inner side of banana peels on affected areas; after continuous use for several days, skin becomes smooth;
· For dry cough without phlegm, dry mouth and nose, cut three bananas without peels into segments, add rock sugar and one bowl of water, steam for one hour, then consume both the liquid and residue to moisten and relieve dryness.
Nutritionists say bananas easily turn black and spoil due to impact or compression, and bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature—best to discard them. Also, elderly people should avoid gulping down bananas whole to prevent choking.