Bananas grow in over 100 countries and is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant, they grow in clusters from the top of the plant, and most bananas are seedless. Bananas vary in size and color, it may be yellow, green, brown, red and purple when ripe. Bananas are not just edible but can be used to make banana wine, banana beer and fiber.
Bananas are available all year-round unlike other fruits. They should be stored at room temperature the warmer the temperature the faster bananas ripen. For a nutritious breakfast add sliced bananas in your cereal or oatmeal. Bananas are great to add in smoothies and as a healthy snack. Bananas are also a great alternative to replace butter or oil in baking goods, just use mashed bananas to make sweet and moist muffins and cakes.
Bananas are naturally low in fat and cholesterol. They’re rich in potassium and fibre they provide many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6 and protein. There are possible health benefits with bananas such as heart health, the fibre, vitamin B6, vitamin C and potassium in bananas support heart health. The decrease of sodium and an increase of potassium is the best way to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Bananas are a part of a diet known as the BRAT diet: stands for banana, rice, applesauce and toast. These are recommended for diarrhea treatment.
A study from the imperial college of London found that children who ate one banana per day had a 34% less chance of developing asthma. A child that eats bananas and oranges in the first two years of their life may reduce the risk of child leukemia. The vitamin C in bananas can help combat the formation of free radicals that is known to cause cancer. The high fibre intake in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lowered risk of bowel cancer.
Time to eat a banana?