Banana Nutrition Facts

These banana nutrition facts open the door to a low cost, readily available health food. Just take a look at these banana benefits!

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

Banana Health

Bananas are good for more than energy. Daily bananas can fight a number of illnesses and conditions.

Depression:

Bananas are a good source of trytophan, a protein the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin promotes relaxation, improves mood, and just generally makes you feel happier!

Anemia:

Bananas fight anemia because they are high in iron and stimulate hemoglobin production.

Blood Pressure:

Bananas are high in potassium and low in salt, making bananas the perfect natural food to moderate blood pressure. The US FDA allows banana producers to make official claims supporting lowering of blood pressure and reducing the risk of stroke.

Brain Power:

Banana's high potassium levels assist learning and raise alertness!

Muscle Cramps:

Road and mountain bikers know a few bananas tucked in their jersey pockets are worth their weight in - potassium! Potassium helps overworked leg muscles avoid cramps during long bicycle races.

Constipation:

Relatively high in fiber, bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to chemical laxatives.

After Race Hangovers:

Make a banana milkshake to cure hangovers. Banana settles the stomach, builds up blood sugar levels, and re-hydrates!

Banana Calories

Bananas are a great "comfort food". The reasonable 110 calories a banana adds to your daily intake come with a full load of nutrients. Bananas are a high carbohydrate food that helps control blood sugar levels and prevent hunger attacks.

History of Bananas

Originating in Malaysia pre-history 2000 years ago, bananas were first mentioned in Buddhist texts circa 600 B.C. In 327 B.C. Aristotle's most famous pupil Alexander the Great captures banana crops and brings the banana from India to the European's continent.

Islamic warriors did their part too: About 650 A.D. Islamic victors brought the banana from Madagascar to Africa!

1876 saw bananas introduced to North America at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Cost: 10 cents each!

Conclusion

Compared to apples, bananas have twice the carbs, four times the protein, five times the vitamin A and iron and three times the phosphorus. Rich in potassium and iron, we should be saying "A banana a day keeps the doc at bay!"

That's your banana nutrition facts! And don't forget...