Benefits of bananas

The first mentions of bananas date back to the 5th-4th centuries. BC It is believed that its homeland was Southeast Asia, and a little later they became known in Rome, Greece, India and China. Previously, fruits were available only to southern countries; northern countries could only dream about them due to the inaccessibility of transportation. Today, the largest exporters of pilaf are Thailand, Brazil, Egypt, and India. There are two types of fruits: plantains, which require processing in the form of boiling or frying, but they are mainly used for livestock feed, and dessert ones, with soft, tasty pulp that can be consumed in any form.

Benefits of bananas

Fresh and ripe bananas are a storehouse of microelements and vitamins necessary for humans. They contain zinc, iron, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, vitamins A, C, E, PP, B9, B1, B2, B3.

Not only is the fruit very tasty and filling, but it also provides benefits for:

• low sugar level;
• treatment and prevention of liver and kidney disease;
• anemia;
• atherosclerosis;
• depression;
• hypertension;
• constipation;
• heartburn;
• swelling of the arms and legs;
• insomnia;
• bad mood and depression;
• enteritis;
• peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
• gastritis;
• poor performance of the heart muscle;
• high cholesterol levels.

Fruits are astringent and create an antiseptic effect for irritated and inflamed mucous membranes of the stomach and oral cavity. Those who suffer from diabetes can only eat unripe bananas, since ripe fruits contain a lot of sucrose, glucose and fructose. Yellow fruits are considered a high-energy food because they increase physical stamina and mental performance.

Bananas are used in the beauty industry, they are added to the production of cosmetics and homemade masks. The magical properties of fruits help nourish the skin, eliminate fine wrinkles, remove inflammation, restore hair, get rid of for dry hair. Banana peel is also actively used to achieve and prolong beauty; it is known that it can remove even the largest warts, and it is also used to whiten teeth at home.

Bananas also have their benefits for women. If you consume ripe fruits, you can relieve the symptoms of the premenstrual period. Fruits can also help in the fight against extra pounds, of course, provided that you do not abuse them. There are special banana diets, fasting days on fruits, they can be added to other diets, for example, combined with cottage cheese. Another advantage of yellow fruits is that they are very useful for those who are trying to get rid of the bad habit of smoking. And if you make a mixture of ground banana and honey, you can get rid of a terrible hangover.

The harm of bananas

As you know, everything is good in moderation, so you shouldn’t overuse high-calorie fruit. This can add extra pounds, cause allergic reactions, and vitamin K hypervitaminosis may occur. For diabetics, ripe fruits are dangerous because they raise blood glucose. You should not add fruits to your diet for those who suffer from coronary artery disease, high blood clotting, thrombophlebitis, cardiovascular problems, varicose veins, or those who have had a heart attack or stroke. Bananas should be given to small children with caution; they can cause bloating, poisoning, and colic. Often, flatulence and bloating can occur in an adult.

Calorie content of bananas

A medium-sized ripe fruit has approximately 89-91 kcal and is high in carbohydrates, which helps quickly saturate the body. The dried product contains much more calories, about 346 kcal per 100 g of bananas. Fruit juice contains 48 kcal per 100 g. So if you love bananas, but do not want to harm your figure, then consume them in moderation.

Can a child have a banana?

Fresh ripe fruit should not be introduced into the baby’s diet before 8-9 months. But even at this time, you should monitor the reaction to the new product and not give it in large quantities. Pediatricians recommend starting the first complementary feeding not with a sweet, tasty banana, but with porridge and vegetable purees, so that the child does not refuse breast milk and other not so tasty foods.

Starting from 6-7 months, you can introduce banana puree, prepared independently, into the diet. Bananas are processed in a steam bath, after which they are kneaded with a fork. Fruit at such a young age will be useful for a growing and developing organism. Vitamins and microelements will help in the formation of bones, muscles, normal functioning of the brain and other systems. A banana contains approximately 20% starch, so it is quickly digested. Fiber gives a boost of energy for children's games, B vitamins improve sleep and normalize the functioning of the nervous system. Another advantage of this fruit for children is that due to its soft, delicate consistency, it can be licked, chewed, sucked, and swallowed without any problems.

There are also several contraindications for use: when introducing the fruit before six months, the child may experience bloating and belching due to undigested banana. Allergies to fruits are very rare, but they do occur, so at the slightest hint of a rash, redness or irritation, you should consult a specialist. Also, the fruit should not be given to children who are prone to excess weight due to the calorie content of the fruit.

For very young children, it is best to purchase fruit in stores rather than in markets. These should be ripe yellow fruits without black spots. Overripe fruits can most often cause allergies. It is best to start introducing fruit with a small piece, gradually increasing the portion to 1-2 large spoons. For variety, you can mix banana puree with cookie crumbs, coconut flakes, porridge, breast or artificial milk.