Bananas are held great significance in Indian culture. It is used in a number of auspicious celebrations. All parts of the banana plant are used for different purposes. The fruit of the banana plant is often used as a traditional offering at temples. Leaves of banana trees are used as a plate for food and the flowers are used in cooking. Bananas are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Both raw and ripe bananas are available. Bananas are affordable and nutritious fruits.
Nutritional value of 100g of banana
- Calories: 89 Kcal
- Protein: 1.1g
- Total Fat: 0.3g
- Total Carbohydrate: 23g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.6g
- Sugar: 12g
- Calcium: 5 mg
- Sodium: 1mg
- Iron: 0.26 mg
- Magnesium: 27 mg
- Potassium: 358mg
- Phosphorus:22.00 mg
- Choline: 9.8 mg
- Vitamin C:8.7 mg
- Vitamin A: 64 IU
What to do when buying bananas
- Buy ripe bananas (slightly yellow) for immediate use.
- Use a banana that has a yellow middle and a green end if you wish to use it later.
- Green bananas are generally used for chips and cooking.
- When purchasing bananas, make sure they aren’t discolored or decayed.
- If you want to keep bananas for a long time, choose a banana that is firm to the touch.
- If a bump forms while pressing, the banana is overripe. It can be used for desserts.
A guide to storing bananas
- Bananas should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
- Store bananas in bunches.
- Avoid storing bananas with other fruits.
- Ripe and overripe bananas should be refrigerated.
- You can wrap the stem of the banana, as this releases ethylene gas
Is it healthy for babies?
Banana puree is easy to make as baby food. The best thing is it’s homemade and loaded with nutrition for your baby. It is easily digestible. It is sweet in taste, so babies like the taste. Introduce a small proportion of the banana puree. Check if your baby is developing any allergic symptoms after consumption.
Health benefits of Banana
- Wound healing: A person suffering from an ulcer is advised to eat vitamin C-rich foods more in the diet. Bananas are rich in vitamin c and can heal the wound faster, they will help to reduce ulcer irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. It will help to balance the acidity of gastric juices.
- Good for stomach health: Bananas can neutralize the acid in the stomach, Thus helping with heartburn and acidity. It is a good source of insoluble and soluble dietary fiber, which helps in diarrhea, and constipation. Pectin present in bananas has the specific feature of absorbing water. Through this function, regular bowel movements can be achieved.
- Reduce the risk of stroke: Research suggests that high potassium-rich food reduces the risk of stroke. Banana is loaded with potassium and can be used in prevention with the consultation of your treating doctor.
- Hormone balance: It regulates the progesterone hormone and helps to reduce menstrual bleeding. Some studies suggest that it will also enhance milk secretion in lactating mothers.
- Helps to reduce risk of blood pressure: food with high potassium helps to lower the blood pressure. Bananas can be introduced into your daily meals to control high blood pressure.
- Energy booster: It contains natural sugars like sucrose, fructose, glucose, and fiber. It will provide instant energy to the body.
- Hangover: Bananas will hydrate your body. After a lot of drinks, if you take a banana with milk it will replenish your electrolyte and reduce the effect of a hangover.
- Depression: Serotonin gives you a happy feeling. Bananas contain a protein known as tryptophan. The body converts it into serotonin. It will elevate your mood after eating.
People who should avoid or limit the intake of banana
- Bananas can produce an allergic reaction. If you are prone to getting an allergy after consumption of bananas.
- It can increase migraine pain if consumed with alcohol.
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