Banana

It is one of the most well known and eaten tropical fruit, available throughout the year. Banana plants are primarily cultivated for food, but are also used for the production of fibers, which are required in the textile industry.

Banana comes in its own bright yellow packet, easy to take along as a quick snack. No need to cut or clean before eating, just peel it and eat it. This explains its popularity as a fruit.

Nutritional values of Banana:
Banana is a starchy fruit, but has many vital nutrients (particularly potassium), so should be included in your diet regularly.

Nutrition Value (Per 100 gms) Energy 116 kcal Protein 1.2g Fats 0.3g Carbohydrates 27.2g Potassium 88mg Calicum 17mg

Benefits of Banana:

• It is an instant source of energy (best before or after a workout)
• It is a rich source of potassium, so helps to maintain normal blood pressure and heart function.
• It contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which is involved in the production of serotonin (a brain chemical). Serotonin is known to improve the mood.
• Eating mashed banana is useful in relieving dysentery
• It helps smokers who quit, recovering from the nicotine withdrawal symptoms, as it contains many vitamins and minerals.
• It also helps to improve bone health.

Myth about Banana:

• Bananas are fattening
  Fact: Banana is a starchy fruit and so has more calories compared to some other fruits. It also contains many nutrients (vitamins and minerals) which are good for health and help in weight reduction. And the fact that no fruits contain fats also shows that banana is not fattening.

Tips to include Banana in your diet:

1. Banana can be added in porridge or breakfast cereal
2. It can be used to make banana muffins
3. Sliced bananas can be placed on the pancakes
4. It can be added to a vegetable salad
5. Banana milkshake is a popular beverage

Recipes

• [Healthy Banana Pancakes =374]
• [Banana Smoothie =375]