A banana is a fruit from the banana plant. It has an elongated, slightly curved shape and is yellow. The banana plant is actually the world’s largest herb. But according to the horticultural definition, the banana is counted among the vegetables. Because the banana is consumed as a dessert or as a snack, the banana is described as a fruit in a culinary sense.
True or False?
Bananas are rich in fiber. Fiber is mainly found in fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and legumes and is not digested. Hence, they arrive unchanged in the colon. The bowel movement is stimulated and substances are released as a result of the processing of the intestinal bacteria. Anyone who thought that bananas are bad for the intestines and cause blockages is wrong. Bananas, like other fruits, contribute to good digestion and bowel movements.
In Japan, the banana diet is a hit. Every morning people take a banana for breakfast, and then eat everything for lunch and dinner. Although a banana can serve as a tasty and quick breakfast, it has no magical effect on the metabolism. By only having breakfast with banana and eating more than you need for the rest of the day, you will still gain weight. Moreover, with just a banana you will not be fit and strong enough to withstand the rest of the day.
Bananas can help improve bowel movements. However, it depends on the ripeness. The riper the banana, the better, because riper bananas contain more fiber. Unripe and baking bananas contain a lot of ‘resistant starch’, this means that we cannot digest this and that can cause many (constipation) complaints.
Bananas …
- come from the banana tree. However, the banana tree is not a tree, but a very large plant.
- weigh an average of 150 grams. A fresh banana of 100 grams contains: 88 – 116 kcal and about 20 – 25 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, the banana contains 1.2 grams of proteins, 0.2 grams of fats (of which 0.1 grams are unsaturated) and 0.4 grams of fiber.
- supply enough energy with two pieces to exercise vigorously for 90 minutes.
- can have a natural repellent effect on the body against heartburn.
- contain various vitamins and minerals, such as (at 100 gr): 88 mg potassium, 8.7 mg vitamin C, selenium, magnesium, tryptophan (amino acid).
- can fight a hangover, because the high dose of magnesium relaxes the blood vessels and can take away the headaches. An energy boost is created by the present fructose, glucose and sucrose. TIP: if you’re hungover, drink a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey! The stomach is soothed and rehydrated by the banana. Honey lowers blood sugar.
- help the ripening process of other fruits by producing the ripening gas ethylene.
- can contribute to the remedy of depression, by the substance tryptophan, which contributes to the production of serotonin. This substance is needed to feel ‘happy’ again.
- help against a morning mood and stress. A banana contains potassium. This is a vital mineral that normalizes the heart rate, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body’s water balance. Our metabolism level rises when we are stressed and the potassium level decreases, making it important to rebuild.
- can help remove warts. Bananas have a strong antiviral effect, which means that the rotting process is delayed. TIP: Attach a piece of banana peel to a wart with the yellow side facing out.