Why Bananas Are a Must-Have in Your Daily Diet

Why Bananas Are Good For Your Health

Plenty of studies have shown that there are multiple advantages to consuming bananas on a regular basis. Apart from not being expensive and easily accessible, they are storehouses of nutrients too. Here is what you can find in a banana-

• One robusta banana will give you about 100 calories or slightly lower or higher, depending on its size. It has carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and plenty of soluble fibre. There is no fat at all. Some of the vitamins you can find are riboflavin, folate, niacin (Vitamin B group) and minerals like magnesium, potassium and copper, along with some Vitamin C too.
• Plantains or green bananas have lots of resistant starch in them, which means your body will take time to digest them, leaving you feeling full for longer after a meal. Many studies have shown that they can help increase insulin sensitivity. 
• Bananas in general have a bad reputation for causing a glucose spike in your blood, but this only happens if you eat a lot at once and if you are diabetic. Normal folk can get away with eating large amounts once in a while and there won’t be a major change in blood glucose levels. But, moderation is the best policy always, so have one banana at a time and you should be good to go.
• Bananas are rich in prebiotics, so they are super gut-friendly. It also has loads of pectin, which is a form of soluble fibre. 
• Bananas are not very calorie rich like some snacks that we love, but can make you feel full pretty soon. So, if eaten in the right quantities along with physical exercise, it can help with weight reduction or weight management too. It is also great if you are constipated.
• Since bananas are good reserves of potassium, they are heart friendly by nature. The magnesium present in them is also good for the heart. The kidney also benefits with potassium, but if you have kidney disease or some related problem, then you should talk to your doctor.
• They have plenty of antioxidants in them, which means you will age better and not suffer from disease due to DNA mutations. High amounts of free radicals can be damaging in the long run and eating a banana everyday is a great preventive measure.
• Since it is high in electrolytes, it can help your muscles feel better and prevent them from cramping, especially after a super challenging workout.
• The last reason is a no-brainer but because they are easy to obtain, they can be included in your diet too. You don’t need to cut or prepare them in elaborate ways, so they are super convenient.

Many of us think that eating bananas daily can cause us to gain weight quickly, but don’t give in to this rumour. It is an important fruit to add to your daily meals. But you shouldn’t be eating just bananas all the time. You should eat it with other fruits, so you get a more well rounded profile of nutrients. 

Bananas vs. Other Fruits In Daily Nutrition-

When you compare bananas to other fruits, there is the slight worry that yes, it is more calorically dense when compared to say an orange or a grapefruit. But bananas are a great source of Vitamin B which is a very essential nutrient that is often lost when foods are highly processed.

Conclusion

The best time to eat bananas for maximum benefits is during the day, as they are rich in fibre. When you eat them at night, you risk upsetting your stomach, as the muscles work at a much lower rate than during the day. That said, you should aim to eat about 2 cups of fruits per day. When you eat them is not the question. You will however derive the maximum benefits if you tend to eat a variety of fruits everyday. So, moderation and variety are key to a great diet and even better health.