Who doesn't like bananas? The yellow fruit with a sweet taste is indeed easy to find everywhere. Its affordable price is also one reason why bananas are a favourite fruit for most people. Not only that, bananas also contain a myriad of benefits that are good for your health.

Bananas have always been known for their high fibre content. As we know, fibre in food can help prolong the feeling of 'fullness', so it is effective for those of you who want to reduce or maintain ideal body weight. Fibre in bananas can also help reduce and maintain the stability of blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. According to data contained in the United States Department of Agriculture, medium-sized bananas contain 3.07 grams of fibre.

Bananas are also famous for their high potassium content. Potassium is a nutrient that is responsible for regulating sodium levels in the body, helps lower blood pressure and prevents the risk of heart-related illnesses and stroke, and maintains kidney health. Medium-sized bananas contain 422 mg of potassium, which can provide 12% of daily potassium needs.

For those of you who start your day in the morning, bananas can be used as a substitute for breakfast. According to a study conducted by Appalachian State University, consumption of bananas can be a source of energy that can provide the same endurance effects as carbohydrate beverages. Bananas are found to increase dopamine levels, which are compounds in the body that are responsible for controlling one's emotions. The high level of dopamine is associated with an improvement in a person's mood.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source(s):

• Medical News Today - Can bananas help you lose weight? (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325879.php, 01 August 2019.
• Nieman, D.C., Gillit, N.D., Henson, D.A., et all (2012). Energy Management Source during Exercise: A Metabolic Approach. PLoS One, DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0037479.