LITTLE INTRODUCE OF RAW BANANA
Green banana, also known as green banana, is a versatile and nutritious fruit that often goes unnoticed in the world of culinary delights.
RAW BANANA HEALTH BENEFITS AND 13 NUTRITIONAL VALUE
WHAT IS A BANANA?
Raw banana, also known as green banana, is a versatile and nutritious fruit that often goes unnoticed in the world of culinary delights. While most people consume ripe bananas, the benefits of including raw bananas in your diet should not be missed. Raw bananas are a powerhouse of goodness, packed with essential minerals and nutrients and boasting an array of health benefits. Let’s explore the nutritional value of raw bananas and delve into the twelve incredible health benefits they offer.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF RAW BANANA
Raw bananas are rich in essential vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, making them an excellent addition to a well-balanced diet. A single medium-sized raw banana contains approximately 100 calories and provides a host of nutrients, including:
- Potassium: Raw bananas are a great source of potassium, accounting for 90/0 of the daily value (DV). Potassium is vital in maintaining proper heart and muscle function and helping regulate blood pressure levels.
- Vitamin C: Green bananas are rich in vitamin C, providing approximately 11% of the DV. Vitamin C is a cardinal antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system and aids collagen production, promoting healthy skin.
- Vitamin B6: Raw bananas are a good source of vitamin B6, accounting for 25% of the daily value. It helps convert meals into energy, supports brain development, and produces red blood cells.
- Dietary Fibre: Green bananas are an excellent source of dietary fibre, which improves digestion, promotes feelings of fullness, and regulates blood sugar levels.
- Magnesium: Raw bananas contain magnesium, providing approximately 70/0 of the DV. This mineral supports bone health, helps maintain normal nerve function, and plays a role in 12 Health Benefits of Raw Banana energy metabolism.
RICH IN NUTRIENTS
Bananas contain a fair amount of carbs, water, fiber, and antioxidants but little protein and no fat.
One Medium Banana Nutrients
| NUTRIENTS NAME | NUTRIENTS VALUE |
| Calories: | 112 |
| Fat: | O grams (g) |
| Protein: | 1 g |
| Carbs: | 29 g |
| Fiber: | 3 g |
| Vitamin C: | 12% of the Daily Value (DV) |
| Riboflavin: | 7% of the DV |
| Folate: | 6% of the DV |
| Niacin: | 5% of the DV |
| Copper: | 11% of the DV |
| Potassium: | 10% of the DV |
| Magnesium: | 8% of the DV |
ANTIOXIDANTS
Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary antioxidants, and bananas are no exception. They contain several types of potent antioxidants including flavonoids and amines. These antioxidants are linked to many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease and macular degeneration. Antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage to your cells caused by free radicals. If you do not consume enough antioxidants, free radicals can build up over time and cause harm if their levels become high enough in your body.
13 HEALTH BENEFITS OF RAW BANANA
- Promotes Digestive Health:
- Boosts Heart Health:
- Aids in Weight Management:
- Supports Brain Function:
- Boosts Immune System:
- Improves Skin Health:
- Regulates Blood Sugar Levels:
- Supports Eye Health:
- Supports Bone Health:
- Improve kidney health:
- Boosts energy levels:
- Reduces Inflammation:
- Supports a Healthy Pregnancy:
1 – PROMOTES DIGESTIVE HEALTH
May support digestive health Dietary fiber has been linked to many health benefits o, including improved digestion? Resistant starch, the type of fiber found in unr.pe bananas, is a prebiotic. Prebiotics escape digestion and end up in your large intestine, where they become food for the beneficial bacteria in your gut (probiotics). What’s more, pectin a fiber found in both ripe and unripe bananas – may help prevent constipation and soften stools.
Some test-tube studies even suggest that pectin may help protect against colon cancer although further research in humans is needed to learn more about this possible benefit. Raw bananas are an excellent source of dietary fibre, promoting a healthy digestive system. The fibre content in raw bananas helps regulate bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Consuming raw bananas can help alleviate digestive issues such as bloating and indigestion.
2 – BOOSTS HEART HEALTH
May support heart health Potassium is a mineral that’s vital for heart health and especially for blood pressure management. However, few people get enough potassium in their diet. Bananas are a great source of potassium, with a medium banana providing 10% of the DV. A potassium-rich diet could help lower your blood pressure e, reducing your risk of hypertension. A 2017 study in mice also suggests that potassium may lower the risk of heart disease by 27%. Additionally, bananas contain 8% of the DV for magnesium, another important mineral for heart health.
Magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, elevated blood pressure, and high levels of fats in the blood. Therefore, it’s essential to get enough of this mineral from either your diet or supplements. The health benefits of green bananas are not limited to digestion. The high potassium content in raw bananas makes them a heart-healthy food. Potassium regulates blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of hypertension and stroke. Additionally, the fibre and antioxidant components present in raw bananas lower cholesterol levels, further protecting the cardiovascular system.
3 – AIDS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT:
May aid weight loss NO study has directly investigated the effects of bananas on weight loss. However, bananas have several attributes that could make them a weight-loss-friendly food. Bananas have relatively few calories – just over 100 calories in an average banana – but are nutritious and filling. They’re also packed with dietary fiber and resistant starch, which may help you feel full longer and therefore reduce the frequency and size of your mea s.
If you’d like to include unripe bananas in your diet, try using them as you’d use plantains. Raw bananas can be a valuable addition to your diet if you want to shed a few pounds or maintain a healthy weight. The fibre in raw bananas promotes feelings of fullness, reducing appetite and preventing overeating. Furthermore, the natural sugars in raw bananas provide a healthier alternative to processed sweets, helping satisfy sugar cravings more nutritionally.
4 – SUPPORTS BRAIN FUNCTION:
Raw bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which is crucial in brain growth and functioning. Vitamin B6 helps produce various neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and enhance cognitive abilities. Including raw bananas in your meal can help improve memory, concentration, and overall brain health. Raw bananas can help with brain health because they contain vitamin B6 and tryptophan, which can help with mood regulation cognitive abilities.
Explanation
- Vitamin B6 – Helps produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which can improve mood and cognitive abilities.
- Tryptophan – An amino acid that the body converts into serotonin and melatonin, which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood and sleep
5 – BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM:
The vitamin C content in raw bananas strengthens immunity, helping to fight illnesses and infections. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage and aids in producing white blood cells (WBCs), which are essential for fighting off pathogens and keeping the body healthy. Raw bananas can support immune function primarily due to their high content of Vitamin C, which acts as powerful antioxidant that stimulates White blood cell production, helping the body fight off infections and illnesses; additionally, raw bananas contain Vitamin B6, another nutrient important for overall immune system health.
KEY POINTS ABOUT RAW BANANAS AND IMMUNE FUNCTION:
- Vitamin C – The main contributor to immune support in raw bananas, Vitamin C helps produce white blood cells crucial for fighting infections.
- Antioxidant power – Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Vitamin B6 – Another important nutrient in raw bananas that plays a role in supporting the immune system.
6 – IMPROVES SKIN HEALTH:
Raw bananas can work wonders for your skin, thanks to their vitamin C content. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which helps maintain skin elasticity and prevents signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and fine lines. Additionally, the antioxidants in raw bananas protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, resulting in a healthier and more youthful complexion.
7 – REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS:
Bananas are rich in soluble fiber. During digestion, soluble fiber dissolves in liquid to form a gel. This may also contribute to a banana’s sponge-like texture. Unripe (green) bananas also contain resistant starch, a type of fiber that your body does not digest. Together, these two types of fiber may help moderate your blood sugar levels after meals and regulate your appetite by slowing the emptying of your stomach. This means that despite their higher carb content, bananas may not cause major spikes in blood sugar levels in people who don’t have diabetes.
However, for those who have diabetes, eating a large portion in one sitting may cause blood sugar levels to rise too high, so it’s best to stick to one banana at a time. The dietary fibre and resistant starch in raw bananas contribute to better blood sugar control. These components slow down the release of glucose into the bloodstream, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. Including raw bananas in your meals can help prevent or manage various conditions, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
8 – SUPPORTS EYE HEALTH:
Raw bananas contain a range of nutrients, including vitamin A and certain antioxidants that promote optimal eye health. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining good vision, while antioxidants protect the eyes from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Consuming raw bananas regularly can help prevent age-related macular degeneration and other eye disorders.
9 – SUPPORTS BONE HEALTH:
Raw bananas contain magnesium, a mineral that is essential for maintaining healthy bones. Magnesium works in conjunction with calcium and vitamin D to promote bone density and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. By including raw bananas in your diet, you can ensure your bones stay strong and healthy as you age.
10 – IMPROVE KIDNEY HEALTH
May improve kidney health Potassium is vital for healthy kidney function and blood pressure regulation. As a great dietary source of potassium, bananas could be especially beneficial for keeping your kidneys healthy. A 2019 study e that included more than 5,000 people with early stage chronic kidney disease linked potassium with lower blood pressure and a slower progression of kidney disease. However, some people who have late stage kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis need to restrict their potassium intake. If you fall into one of these categories, speak with a healthcare professional before increasing your potassium intake.
11 – BOOSTS ENERGY LEVELS:
The natural sugars present in raw bananas provide a quick and sustainable energy boost. Whether you need an energy pick-me- up before a workout or a mid- afternoon slump remedy, raw bananas are a healthy and convenient choice. The carbohydrates in raw bananas are easily digestible, making them an idea fuel source for physical and mental activities.
12 – REDUCES INFLAMMATION:
Raw bananas possess anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The antioxidants and certain enzymes in raw bananas inhibit the production of inflammatory substances in the body, reducing pain and swelling.
13 – SUPPORTS A HEALTHY PREGNANCY:
Raw bananas are an excellent choice for expectant mothers due to their nutritional value. Their high folate content supports proper foetal development and reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Additionally, the various nutrients in raw bananas help alleviate common pregnancy discomforts such as constipation and leg cramps.
CONCLUSION
Raw bananas may not receive as much attention as their ripe counterparts, but their health benefits are remarkable. Raw bananas offer many advantages, from promoting digestive health to supporting brain function and boosting heart health. So, the next time you reach for a snack, consider grabbing a raw banana and experiencing its incredible benefits. Make this versatile fruit a staple in your diet and reap the rewards of improved health and well-being.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE HEALTH BENEFITS AND THE BENEFITS OF VEGETABLES, CLICK ON THIS LINK
