Health Benefits of BananaBy Allah Dad Khan

Introduction

Banana, the fruit of a plant of the genus Musa (family Musaceae) is basically cultivated for food, and secondary for the production of fibers, and also for producing tissue-thin tea bags. Besides this, bananas are also cultivated for some ornamental purposes in various regions of the world. They are also known as Bananier Nain, Canbur, Curro and Plantain. These creamy, rich, and sweet fruits are favourite among the people of all ages right from infants to elders. Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber. They provide instant energy as they are the rich sources of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and potassium

Origin of Bananas 

Edible bananas find their origin in the Indo-Malaysian region and northern Australia. Many varieties and species of wild bananas still occur in Philippines, Malaysia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. Recent archaeological and palaeoenvironmental evidence suggests that banana cultivation goes back to at least 5000 BC, and possibly to 8000 BC in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. This would make the New Guinean highlands the first place where bananas were cultivated by human beings. Later these eatables were domesticated in the other parts of southeastern Asia.

History of Bananas in a Nutshell

Archaeological evidence suggests that  banana cultivation started during 8000 to 5000 BCE in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea

In 600 BCE, the banana is mentioned for the first time in written history in Buddhist texts

Alexander the Great discovered the taste of the banana in the valleys of India in 327 BCE

If to believe unverified facts, it was in the 3rd Century B.C bananas have been carried to the Mediterranean region, followed by Europe in the 10th Century A.D.

Islamic texts suggests that prophet Muhammad was familiar with bananas and there are also numerous references to it in Islamic texts (such as poems and hadiths) beginning in the ninth century

History of Bananas in a Nutshell

The existence of an organized banana plantation could be found in China in 200 AD

Antonius Musa, Roman emperor Octavius Augustus's personal doctor, was credited for promoting cultivation of the exotic African fruit from 63 to 14 B.C.

In 1502 AD, banana plants were transported from the West African coast to South America by a group of Portuguese mariners

In the 17th century, Its Guinean native name,which later became 'banana' in English, was first found in print

In 1836 A.D., the yellow sweet banana is a mutant strain of the green and red cooking bananas, discovered in 1836 by Jamaican Jean Francois Poujot

With the advent of refrigeration technologies coupled with rapid transport transport systems, bananas have become widely available by the 20th century.

Health Benefits of Banana

11.Blood pressure: Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however increasing potassium intake may be just as important because of its vasodilation effects. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2% of US adults meet the daily 4700 mg recommendation.3

Also of note, a high potassium intake is associated with a 20% decreased risk of dying from all causes.3

Health Benefits of Banana

12.Wart Remove a wart by

placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place

Health Benefits of Banana

Blood sugarEating a banana

between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.

Health Benefits of Banana

Asthma: A study conducted by the Imperial College of London found that children who ate just one banana per day had a 34% less chance of developing asthma.

Health Benefits of Banana

Cancer: Consuming bananas, oranges and orange juice in the first two years of life may reduce the risk of developing childhood leukemia. As a good source of vitamin C, bananas can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. High fiber intakes from fruits and vegetables like bananas are associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer.

Health Benefits of Banana

13.Heart health: The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas all support heart health. An increase in potassium intake along with a decrease in sodium intake is the most important dietary change that a person can make to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Mark Houston, MD, MS, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Vanderbilt Medical School and director of the Hypertension Institute at St Thomas Hospital in Tennessee.3

Health Benefits of Banana

14. Digestion and Weightloss

Bananas are high in fiber, which can help keep you regular. One banana can provide nearly 10 percent of your daily fiber requirement. Vitamin B6 can also help protect against type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss, according to Flores. In general, bananas are a great weight loss food because they taste sweet and are filling, which helps curb cravings. They also help sustain blood sugar levels during workouts.

Health Benefits of Banana

15.Vision Carrots may get all the glory for

helping your eyes, but bananas do their share as well. The fruits contain a small but significant amount of vitamin A, which is essential for protecting your eyes, maintaining normal vision and improving vision at night, according to the National Institutes of Health. Vitamin A contains compounds that preserve the membranes around your eyes and are an element in the proteins that bring light to your corneas. Like other fruits, bananas can help prevent macular degeneration, an incurable condition, which blurs central vision.sion

Health Benefits of Banana

16.Depression and moodBananas can be helpful in overcoming depression

"due to high levels of tryptophan, which the body converts to serotonin, the mood-elevating brain neurotransmitter," Flores said. Plus, vitamin B6 can help you sleep well, and magnesium helps to relax muscles.

Health Benefits of Banana

17.Bones Bananas may not be

overflowing with calcium, but they are still helpful in keeping bones strong.  According to a 2009 article in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, bananas contain an abundance of fructooligosaccharides. These are nondigestive carbohydrates that encourage digestive-friendly priobotics and enhance the body's ability to absorb calcium

Health Benefits of Banana

18.Diabetes: Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels. One medium banana provides about 3 grams of fiber.

Health Benefits of Banana

19.Treating diarrhea: Bland foods such as apple sauce and bananas are recommended for diarrhea treatment. Electrolytes like potassium are lost in large quantities during bouts of diarrhea and may make those affected feel weak. Bananas can help to promote regularity and replenish potassium stores.

Health Benefits of Banana

20.Preserving memory and boosting mood: Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that studies suggest plays a role in preserving memory and boosting your mood.

Health Benefits of Banana

21.Ease Stomach Problems Bananas can help with several

tummy issues. The 3.1 grams of fiber you’ll find in a medium banana is split into two different types: soluble and insoluble, which can help ease digestion and relieve constipation, respectively. Bananas could even aid recovery after a bout of diarrhea, when fluid loss depletes levels of key electrolytes like potassium, Sass says. That’s not all. “Bananas neutralize the acidity in the stomach and coat the lining to reduce irritation,” Sass says. So they are thought to help fight heartburn and stomach ulcers, too

Health Benefits of Banana

22.Good for gut bacteria You’ve probably heard of 

probiotics, the “good” bacteria that aid digestion and are found in certain foods like yogurt. Well, there’s also such a thing as prebiotics, and bananas  happen to be a great source of them. Prebiotics are actually carbohydrates that can’t be digested by the human body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Still, they play a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut

Health Benefits of Banana

23.Good as Sport Drinks They can sub in for sports drinks Bananas could give sports drinks a run for

their money. A study published in PLoS ONE analyzed the blood samples of 14 trained cyclists, who were given either a cup of carbohydrate drink or half a banana to consume every 15 minutes during a simulated 2.5- to 3-hour road race. Researchers found that performance was the same for both, but bananas come with added benefits. “They pack more nutrients than sports drinks and have a healthier blend of natural sugars with bonus antioxidants,” says Health‘s contributing nutrition editor, Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. And if you’re low on key electrolytes like potassium that help regulate nerve and muscle function, you might suffer from muscle cramps. So grabbing a banana to replace what you sweat out during an intense workout isn’t a bad idea

Health Benefits of Banana

24.Banana good for children

Bananas are a caloric dense fruit. Consumption of just one banana anytime through the day makes one feel energetic.

Health Benefits of Banana

25.Moisturize dry skin. Not getting enough hydration from your lotion? Simply smash a banana into a bowl and smooth it on your skin. (Caution: Be careful not to get the sugary fruit in your eyes.) Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water and then follow with a cold splash of water to lock in moisture. Your dry skin will instantly feel softer.

Health Benefits of Banana

Health Benefits of Banana

26.Get rid of oily skin. Try whipping up a shine-reducing mask by mixing one ripe banana and two teaspoons of lemon juice. The acids found in the lemon juice will break down the oil, while the vitamin C in the banana will control future oil production

Health Benefits of Banana

27.Remedy dry hair and an itchy scalp. Similar to a banana facial mask, the oils and potassium found in the fruit can work wonders for the health of your scalp and strands. Break out your blender and toss in two overripe bananas, one avocado and yogurt. Apply the creamy mixture to your scalp and wait at least 20 minutes before rinsing out with warm water.

Health Benefits of Banana

Fight wrinkles. You can use this same combination for an anti-aging face mask. Bananas and avocados contain vitamin E, which is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and prevent age spots from forming.

Health Benefits of Banana

Slough away dead skin cells. Keep your skin soft to the touch all year round by doing a weekly scrub made out of bananas, oatmeal and coconut milk. The grainy oats are a less abrasive alternative to sugar, and the coconut milk will restore a radiant glow to your skin

Health Benefits of Banana

Reduce puffy eyes. I've been told by medical experts that eating a banana willreduce puffy eyes, as the potassium helps to counter salt intake that lead to fluid retention. But rubbing pureed bananas underneath the eyes gets the job done, too.

Health Benefits of Banana

Treat acne-prone skin. There's power in the banana peel! Before heading to bed, rub the inside of the peel along your face. Wash your face in the morning. Repeat these steps at least once a day for one week, and your pimples should be gone. If you notice further skin irritation or breakouts, stop immediately and consult a doctor

Health Benefits of Banana

Soften cracked heels. Apply the pulp of two to three bananas to the soles of your feet, and the gooey mixture will penetrate deep to stave off dryness. No more rips into your tights!

Health Benefits of Banana

Bananas also have antacid effects, protecting the stomach from ulcers and their subsequent damage. They work by creating a thicker mucus barrier within the stomach to protect against acids. Also, they help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that could lead to ulcers

Health Benefits of Banana

28.Weight LossFinding foods to fit into

your weight-loss diet can be challenging, but bananas make a perfect fit. Bananas are naturally sweet and can help curb your sweet tooth if you get that afternoon sugar craving. A 6-inch banana has a minimal 90 calories, about one-fourth of the calories you would get from a chocolate candy bar

Health Benefits of Banana

29 .Allergies Banana is very useful for those who are allergic to certain foods. Unlike other protein foods, which contain amino acids that those people can not tolerate and may causes allergy. Bananas contain only benign amino-acids which in many cases are not allergic.

Health Benefits of Banana

31. AnemiaBeing high in iron content, bananas are beneficial in the treatment of anemia. They helps stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

Health Benefits of Banana

32.Constipation and DiarrheaBananas are a good remedy for constipation and diarrhea as they can help normalize bowel functions. They also have the ability to change the harmful bacteria in the intestines become the beneficialacidophilic bacilli.

Health Benefits of Banana

33. DysenteryMashed banana together with little salt is an excellent medicine for dysentery. Ripe bananas are also useful in treatment of dysentery on children, but they should mashed and process to cream before apply it.

Health Benefits of Banana

34.HangoverThe mixture of banana milkshake with honey is A good medicine for hangover. Banana calm your stomach, along with milk, it helps rehydrates your system. Honey is also comfort your stomach andcontrol your blood sugar and potassium levels back to normal.

Health Benefits of Banana

35.Helps to stop smokingNutrients contain in banana such as vitamins A1, B6, B12, C, magnesium, and potassium helps withdraw nicotine from the body

Health Benefits of Banana

36 .Intestine DisorderThe banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its easy to digest. This is the only raw fruit which can be eaten without distress in chronic ulcer cases. Ripe bananas are very useful to treat ulcerative colitis. Being a soft, smooth, and easily digested, they help out acute symptoms and support healing process

Health Benefits of Banana

37.Improve brain function and keep alertnessPotassium found in the bananas is a good source toimprove brain function and keep alertness. So add abanana to your breakfast before you start the day.

Health Benefits of Banana

38.Kidney DisordersBeing of their low protein and salt and high carbohydrate content, bananas are valuable in kidney disorder. They are useful in uremia, a toxic condition of the blood die to kidney congestion and dysfunction. In such cases, a diet of banana should only be taken for 3 to 4 days with consuming 8 to 9banana a day. This diet is suitable for all kidney problems, including nephritis.

Health Benefits of Banana

39. Menstrual disordersCooked banana flower and eat with curd is considered an effective medicine for cure menstrual disorders like excessive bleeding and painful menstruation. Banana flower helps increaseprogesterone hormone which reduces the bleeding

Health Benefits of Banana

40.Reduce the risk of Heart Attack and StrokeBananas are an excellent source of potassium which helps keep body electrolyte and fluids balance in body cells and helps in controlling blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Research has shown that regular intake of bananas can reduce the risk of stroke by 40%.

Health Benefits of Banana

41. Urinary DisordersJuice from banana stem is well known remedies for urinary disorders. It increases the kidney and liver function, thus reducing discomfort and pain conditions in it. It has been found very helpful to remove stones in the kidney and prostate.

Health Benefits of Banana

42.Over weightDiet consists of bananas and skim milk are considered as an effective remedies for weight loss