What vitamins and minerals are in bananas? Bananas are a healthy addition to your diet since they contain many different nutrients. They can also be a great sweet treat when you're trying to avoid sugary junk foods, so make sure you keep a handful of bananas around!
So, What Vitamins and Minerals are in Bananas?
The humble banana is really a super food in disguise. Not only are they delicious and fun to eat, but they also pack a nutritional wallop. Compared to apples, bananas have nearly:
- Five times the vitamin A
- Four times the protein
- Three times the phosphorus
But bananas have a lot more going for them. One cup of this sweet yellow fruit also contains:
- 41% of your recommended vitamin B6
- 33% of your recommended vitamin C
- 30% of your recommended manganese
- 23% of your recommended potassium
- 15% of your recommended magnesium
- Copper
- Phosphorus
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Fiber
- Iron
Health Benefits of Eating Bananas
With all those vitamins and minerals, what can eating bananas do for your health? By packing in the nutrients listed above, you can lower your risk of developing certain health conditions. Here are just a few of the diseases bananas can help you avoid:
- High cholesterol - since bananas are high in fiber, they can help to lower your cholesterol.
- Low blood sugar - bananas contain lots of natural sugars, so if you're feeling a dip in your blood sugar, grab one for a dose of unrefined glucose.
- PMS - since bananas contain several different B vitamins, they help ward off the effects of premenstrual syndrome.
- Leg cramps - do you hop out of bed in the middle of the night because of leg cramps? The potassium in bananas can help prevent them.
- Depression and sleeplessness- did you know that bananas contain tryptophan? This protein helps your brain to make serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for mood and sleep patterns.
- Constipation - the fiber in bananas can help keep your digestive track on the move. If you've got diarrhea, they can help replenish the electrolytes you've lost.
- High blood pressure - potassium is a very important electrolyte for keeping healthy blood pressure levels. If you have hypertension, consider eating more bananas and other high-potassium foods, such as mangos, papayas and cantaloupe.
What Do Bananas Not Have?
With all this talk of the magic of bananas, you should know about some of the things they are lacking: bananas contain no cholesterol or sodium, and have only a tiny bit of fat. The fat they do contain is mostly made up of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, so grab a banana whenever you're looking for something healthy to munch on.
More Information
If you're still wondering about what vitamins and minerals are in bananas, the Internet is a great resource for finding out more. Here are some links to help you in your research.
- Nutrition Data details all of the nutritional details about bananas.
- The Tao of Good Health has a great article about the health benefits of eating bananas.
- Can too many bananas be bad for your health?
