6 Good Reasons to Eat a Banana Today (2024)

What goodness is in a banana? Other than being rich in vitamin B6, bananas are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fibre and manganese. W​hat do these mean for your health? The Dietetics Department at Tiong Bahru Community Health Centre explains.​

Ever wondered what goodness is in a banana? Other than being rich in vitamin B6, bananas are a good source of vitamin C, dietary fibre and manganese. Bananas are also fat-free, cholesterol-free and virtually sodium-free. So what do these mean for your health?

Ms Peggy Tan, Dietitian, Tion​​g Bahru C​ommunity Health Centre, a member of the SingHealth group, explains why bananas are good for you and when you should eat them.

Health benefits of bananas

​​1. ​Bananas are one of the best fruit sources of vitamin B6​

Vitamin B6 from bananas is easily absorbed by your body and a medium-sized banana can provide about a quarter of your daily vitamin B6 needs.

Vitamin B6 helps your body:

  • produce red blood cells,
  • metabolise carbohydrates and fats, turning them into energy,
  • metabolise amino acids,
  • remove unwanted chemicals from your liver and kidneys, and
  • maintain a healthy nervous system.

Vitamin B6 is also good for pregnant women as it helps meet their baby’s development needs.

2. Bananas are respectable sources of vitamin C

You may not associate bananas with vitamin C but a medium-sized banana will provide about 10% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Vitamin C helps:

  • protect your body against cell and tissue damage,
  • your body absorb iron better,
  • your body produce collagen - the protein which holds your skin, bones and body together, and
  • support brain health by producing serotonin, a hormone that affects our sleep cycle, moods, and experiences of stress a​nd pain.

3. Manganese in bananas is good for your skin

One medium-sized banana provides approximately 13% of your daily manganese needs. Manganese helps your body make collagen and protects your skin and other cells against free radical damage.

4. Potassium in bananas is good for your heart health and blood pressure

A medium-sized banana will provide around 320-400 mg of potassium, which meets about 10% of your daily potassium needs.

Potassium helps your body maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. In addition, bananas are low in sodium. The low sodium and high potassium combination helps to control high blood pressure.

5. Bananas can aid digestion and help beat gastrointestinal issues

A medium banana will provide about 10-12% of your daily fibre needs. Singapore’s Health Promotion Board recommends a daily dietary fibre intake of 20g for women and 26g for men.

Soluble and insoluble fibres play an important role in your health. Soluble fibre helps your body control your blood sugar level and get rid of fatty substances such as cholesterol. Insoluble fibre adds weight and softness to stools, making it easier for you to have regular bowel movements. This helps to keep your gut healthy and safe from harmful bacteria.

Bananas, especially newly-ripened ones, contain starch that does not digest (resistant starch) in your small intestine and is able to pass into the large intestine. Such bananas help you manage your weight better as you stay full for longer.

That said, bananas can help you beat gastrointestinal issues such as:

  • constipation,
  • stomach ulcers, and
  • heartburn

6. Bananas give you energy – minus the fats and cholesterol​

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose – giving you a fat and cholesterol-free source of energy. As such, bananas are ideal, especially for children and athletes, for breakfast, as a midday snack or before and after sports.

Read on to find out if bananas suitable for everyone and should you eat them.​

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Ref: Q15

6 Good Reasons to Eat a Banana Today (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of eating a banana a day? ›

Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and other important nutrients. They're good for digestive and heart health. You can eat this tropical fruit raw, or add it to smoothies or baked goods.

Is it safe to eat a banana every day? ›

In theory, you could eat as many bananas as you want, as long as you're not over-consuming calories, displacing other foods and nutrients your body needs, or harming your health in other ways. That said, one to two bananas per day would likely be considered a moderate intake for most healthy people.

Why bananas are important in our daily life? ›

A medium-sized banana will provide around 320-400 mg of potassium, which meets about 10% of your daily potassium needs. Potassium helps your body maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. In addition, bananas are low in sodium. The low sodium and high potassium combination helps to control high blood pressure.

What is the best time to eat bananas? ›

But our body's metabolism is at its lowest in the night. So one should ideally consume bananas in the morning or evening, but eating bananas at night can regulate the sleep cycle. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates sleep,” Dr.

Why should you eat a banana before bed? ›

Bananas are a Sleep-Friendly Snack: Bananas contain essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6, which can promote better sleep quality. These nutrients help reduce muscle cramps, lower stress and anxiety, and support the production of sleep-regulating hormones like serotonin and melatonin.

Are bananas good for your liver? ›

Bananas: Bharadwaj also suggests bananas for fatty liver disease patients. They are a storehouse f vitamin B6, C and A and also high in resistant starch, which is good for liver health. 5. Cranberries: Just like blueberries, you need to also add cranberries to the diet.

What fruit should I eat every day? ›

Good choices include oranges, blueberries, apples, avocados, and bananas, but there are many more to choose from. Fruits are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, and they are high in fiber.

Are bananas anti-inflammatory? ›

Bananas contain anti-inflammatory components that could have a significant impact on human health. One such component is bromelain, an enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory properties [5]. Bromelain has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms in conditions such as osteoarthritis.

What is the importance of bananas to a woman? ›

Banana is essential for your heart health. It is rich in potassium, minerals, and electrolytes that help to maintain your heart health. Banana has high potassium and low sodium content. Hence, it may also help to protect your cardiovascular system against high blood pressure.

Is a banana a day too much sugar? ›

A banana will raise your blood sugar, but how much will depend on the size and ripeness of the banana, and the foods it is paired with. The American Diabetes Association recommends eating bananas and other fruit as they contain fiber. It notes that eating fiber can help lower blood sugar levels.

Are bananas good for your stomach? ›

Bananas. Bananas are easy to digest and are known to ease stomach pain. They have a natural antacid effect and can relieve symptoms such as indigestion. This high potassium fruit also increases mucus production in the stomach which helps prevent the irritation of the stomach lining.

Which fruit is best for skin? ›

Watermelon is the best fruit for skin glow. Watermelon contains almost 92% water, making it the best fruit for skin hydration. A rich source of lycopene shields the skin from harmful UV rays and minimizes the risk of sun damage.

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