Bananas - useful properties and contraindications

One of the most popular types of fruit in our country, and all over the world, are bananas - a tasty and nutritious, affordable and sold in every store, healthy and rich in essential substances. They contain a large amount of pectins, natural sugars, phosphorus and calcium, magnesium and iron, potassium and other chemical compounds. Also, each ripe banana is a real well of vitamins and easily digestible carbohydrates.

Useful properties of bananas

In many southern countries, in fact, where bananas of different varieties mainly grow, they are one of the main sources of nutrition for the population. This is not surprising, since in such places this fruit is grown in large quantities for export and consumption by local residents, and also it grows wild in the whole world.

Among the huge variety of products, a banana stands out in that it has a really wide range of useful properties:

1. Complex chemicals in its pulp are an excellent tool for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the mouth and organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Its regular use contributes to the normalization of the acidity of gastric juice, stimulates the activation of the digestive process, thereby improving the digestibility of other foods.
2. Another important advantage of such a product as a banana is a high concentration of magnesium and potassium - elements that should be in the healthy diet of every person, regardless of his age or gender. Without their help, it is difficult to imagine the normal functioning of the heart, muscle activity, the growth of bones and teeth, and the work of the liver. Eating a pair of bananas on a daily basis can fully meet the daily need for potassium, and also almost completely in magnesium. This fruit is especially useful for athletes and workers who, by the nature of their activities, are experiencing constant increased stress on the cardiovascular and muscular systems.
3. Banana is a powerful source of energy, containing a large amount of sugars and other well-digested carbohydrates, saturating a person with strength. Its distinctive feature is high calorie content, as a result of which nutritionists do not recommend to include bananas in any form in the daily diet of people suffering from obesity and trying to get rid of excess weight.
4. This southern fruit is important in the nutrition of the child. Its value in the children's diet is easily explained by good digestibility, chemical composition rich in nutrients, and no risk of allergies. Even young children can eat bananas for food, although it should be borne in mind that the fibers contained in them are poorly digested by a person up to the age of 3 years.
5. The soothing and enveloping effect of banana pulp when exposed to the mucous membranes of the body allows you to get rid of heartburn. Also, the fruit is an excellent tool for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases and accelerates the regenerative processes occurring inside it.
6. The substances contained in the pulp of bananas strengthen bones and hair, have a rejuvenating effect on the skin, therefore, on the basis of this product, face masks and other cosmetics are produced. According to the observations of experts, natural acids in the composition of the fruit moisturize the surface of the skin, making it firm and elastic, which women will appreciate.
7. The beneficial effect of bananas on the state of the nervous system is another serious plus in the treasury of their useful qualities. Regular consumption of fruit allows you to forget about depression once and for all, to make your character more calm and balanced. And all because bananas are rich in so-called "hormones of joy", when ingested, improve his mood.
8. There is no doubt about their benefits for the hematopoietic system, due to the high iron content. The inclusion of bananas in the diet allows you to slow down the natural aging processes, increase the mental capacity of the brain, accelerate wound healing, improve the absorption of fats and proteins.
9. Substances contained within the fruit effectively neutralize and remove harmful compounds from the body,inhaled by the lungs during the daily process of smoking, so its use makes it easier for those who seriously decided to try to get rid of this addiction.

Bananas are also used in folk medicine - due to the high concentration of nutrients, they are effectively used to treat inflammatory diseases of the mouth and digestive system, constipation and diarrhea, gastric and gastritis ulcers, high blood pressure and anemia, diathesis and atherosclerosis, and various nervous disorders. The peel is considered an excellent way to get rid of warts and other skin problems.

The composition of bananas

The beneficial properties of bananas are due to the diverse chemical composition of the fruit. It contains a wide range of such important for the human body compounds as:

1. Potassium is responsible for the health of the heart and blood vessels, nourishes and strengthens the myocardium, maintains the elasticity and tone of the vascular walls, reduces the risk of problems with blood pressure. It is enough to use one such fruit per day to forget about hypertension.
2. Cellulose - normalizes the work of the intestines and other organs of the digestive system, cleansing their delicate mucous walls from toxins, and has a mild laxative effect.
3. Serotonin, also known as “the hormone of joy” or “the hormone of happiness”, is a real safe natural antidepressant that soothes the nerves, allows you to relax after a hard day's work, and purposefully causes positive emotions in a person.

Bananas almost do not contain fats and proteins, but are rich in vitamins and minerals - ascorbic acid, magnesium, calcium and others. Depending on the size, the caloric content of one fruit is from 70 to 100 kilocalories, or an average of 85 kilocalories.

The benefits of dried bananas

Today, dried bananas are becoming increasingly popular - sweet dried fruits, which are an excellent delicacy. They are rich in potassium and other important chemicals that positively affect the brain and heart, hair and skin. Their regular use in food allows you to get rid of anemia, problems with the digestive and cardiovascular system, constipation, toxins.

Reception of dried bananas in food allows you to remove excess fluid from the body, getting rid of puffiness. The fibrous structure of their pulp has a very positive effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, stimulating the digestive processes and improving the degree of assimilation of food. Due to the large amount of fiber, this type of dried fruit has a slight laxative effect.

Dried banana is an easily digestible product for the human body that provides it with strength and energy, which is especially important for people who are fond of sports or working in hard physical work. In addition, the fruit is rich in vitamin C, which makes it an excellent way to strengthen the immune system, fight against vitamin deficiency, prevent and treat viral and infectious diseases.

Banana contraindications

Despite the huge number of advantages, in some cases, bananas can harm the human body:

1. They contain a large concentration of sugars, so their frequent use is categorically not recommended for people suffering from diabetes or prone to fullness, as well as trying to get rid of obesity.
2. They should be consumed in moderation, since a large amount of pulp is difficult to digest by the stomach and intestines, especially when it comes to green bananas. Otherwise, you need to be prepared for such troubles as increased gas formation and bloating.
3. You should not try to mix bananas with milk - in most cases, such a mixture in the shortest possible time will cause indigestion, causing loose stools and other troubles.
4. It is not advisable to give a large amount of this fruit to children under the age of three. First, their digestive system is still not well adapted to digest the fiber found in the pulp, and secondly, there is a risk of allergies.
5. It is not recommended to eat bananas during childbirth or during breastfeeding - sometimes this diet can cause allergic reactions, nuclear jaundice or hemolytic anemia in infants.
6. It is also worth refusing to take them in case of diseases such as thrombophlebitis, coronary heart disease, increased blood clotting. People who have had a heart attack or stroke should also refrain from buying them.

Often on sale you can find green unripe bananas. Eating them is not the best solution. The fact is that instead of easily digestible sugars, they contain difficultly soluble starch, which, if it enters the digestive organs, causes bloating and flatulence. Having bought such fruits, it is necessary to leave them to ripen for several days in order for the starch to turn into sugar.

Video: what will happen if you eat 2 bananas a day