Banana

Possible benefits of the banana:

• High in potassium
• Managing blood pressure
• Helps with Asthma
• Prevents Cancer 
• Support heart health
• Encourage digestive health
• Preserving memory and boosting mood 

Agricultural origin: Philippines

Allergens

• Wheat: possible cross contamination
• Gluten: possible cross contamination
• Egg: absent
• Milk: absent
• Nuts: possible cross contamination

Nutritional values ( per 100 gram from supplier )

• Energy: 2173 Kj / 519 Kcal
• Fat: 33.6 g / of which saturated: 29 g
• Carbohydrates: 50.7 / of which sugar: 35.34 g
• Fibers: 7.7 g
• Protein: 2.3 g
• Salt: 0.02 g

High in potassium

Bananas are high in potassium and contain good levels of protein and dietary fiber. Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals. The human body requires at least 100 milligrams of potassium daily to support key processes. A high potassium intake reduces the risk of overall mortality by 20 percent. It also decreases the risk of stroke, lowers blood pressure, protects against loss of muscle mass, preserves bone mineral density, and reduces the formation of kidney stones. The primary functions of potassium in the body include regulating fluid balance and controlling the electrical activity of the heart and other muscles.

Managing blood pressure

The American Heart Association (AHA) encourage people to lower their intake of salt, or sodium, and increase their consumption of foods that contain potassium. Potassium can help manage blood pressure and reduce strain on the cardiovascular system. A medium banana provides almost 9% of a person’s daily potassium needs, according to the nutritional information from the above sources.

Helps with Asthma

A 2007 study suggested that eating bananas might help prevent wheezing in children with asthma. One reason for this could be the antioxidant and potassium content of bananas. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Prevents Cancer

Laboratory investigations have suggested that lectin, a protein that occurs in bananas, may help prevent leukemia cells from growing. Lectin acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help the body remove molecules known as free radicals. If too many free radicals build up, cell damage can occur, potentially leading to cancer.

Support heart health

Bananas contain fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C. All of these support heart health.

Encourage digestive health

Bananas contain water and fiber, both of which promote regularity and encourage digestive health. One medium banana provides approximately 10% of a person’s fiber needs for a day. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America recommend banana as a snack food in their diet plan.

Preserving memory and boosting mood

Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that may help preserve memory, boost a person’s ability to learn and remember things, and regulate mood. Bananas are rich in the mineral potassium. Potassium helps maintain fluid levels in the body and regulates the movement of nutrients and waste products in and out of cells. Potassium also helps muscles to contract and nerve cells to respond. It keeps the heart beating regularly and can reduce the effect of sodium on blood pressure. Potassium may reduce the risk of kidney stones forming as people age. In turn, healthy kidneys make sure that the right amount of potassium stays in the body. One medium sized banana contains 422 milligrams (mg) of potassium.

Source reference

We have consulted scientific studies to substantiate additional information. You can find the source here: