Monday, 18 January 2016

Amazing Benefits and Uses of Banana in Diet


1. Gives Instant Surge of Energy :
It does this by converting the natural sugars into instant energy and this is one of the reasons sportsmen consume it during intervals.  Bananas are an excellent breakfast for kids and adults as it provides required energy throughout the day. This probably the most popular health benefit of banana.

2. Helps Keep Blood Pressure Under Control :
Research indicates that potassium keeps blood pressure under control and improved consumption of calcium, potassium and magnesium can also help decrease high blood pressure. Bananas are rich in potassium, calcium & magnesium, so it is a healthy option for keeping blood pressure in check.

3. Helps Lower Cholesterol :
It is said that Pectin which is a soluble fibre in banana helps to lower Cholesterol levels.  According to researchers, fibres that are water soluble such as pectin, psyllium, beta-glucan etc., lower the LDL Cholesterol without disturbing the HDL cholesterol.

4. Supports Renal Health :
Bananas being a rich source of potassium, if consumed regularly in moderation, promote renal health. The International Journal of Cancer states that Bananas being a rich source of antioxidant phenolic compounds, if consumed together with cabbage and root vegetables protect renal health.

5. Improves Nerve Function and Enhances Brain Power :
Banana is a rich source of B vitamins and therefore perks up nerve function.  Potassium, in banana keeps the mental faculties vigilant and boosts learning abilities.

6. Decreases The Risk of Stroke :
Studies indicate that regular intake of bananas in daily diet helps reduce the occurrence of stroke and this is due to the high amount of potassium.

7. Reduces the Risk of Cancer :
Rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, consumption of bananas reduce risk of various types of cancer, especially bowel cancer.

8. Helps Build Healthy Bones :
Probiotic bacteria present in bananas is said to have astonishing ability to absorb calcium in the body. Hence, consuming bananas help in building better bones.

9. Enhances Digestive Ability :
It is very rich in fructooligosaccharide which acts as a probiotic (friendly bacteria). It stimulates the growth and activity of probiotics in the colon and produces enzymes that enable absorption of nutrients thus enhancing the digestive ability and preventing unfriendly bacteria from harming the body.

10. Helps Combat Stomach Ulcers :
Certain substances in bananas stimulate the cells which make up the stomach lining, this enables production of a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids.  Also the substance known as protease inhibitors in banana, help getting rid of bacteria in the stomach that produces stomach ulcers, thus protecting against damage of stomach and ulcer.

11. Helps in Controlling Diarrhea :
Raw bananas are astringent in nature and are effective in treatment for diarrhoea.  They also regulate fluid balance.

12. Relieve from Constipation :
Pectin found in Bananas, help to alleviate constipation and improves bowel function.

13. Helps in Curing Piles :
Since bananas help regulate bowel movement they help cure piles.

15. Helps Alleviating Heartburn :
The antacid substance in banana gives immense relief from heartburn

16. Prevents Allergies :
The presence of benign amino acids in banana helps combat allergies.

17. Helps Withdrawing Smoking Urge :
Vitamins B6 and B12 along with magnesium and Potassium in Bananas helps recover from nicotine addiction.

18. Helps Recovering from Hangover :
Bananas when blended with honey and yoghurt cures hangover.

19. Enhance Weight Gain :
The combination of milk and bananas enhances weight gain.  Bananas provide the body with necessary natural sugars and milk provides protein.

20. Bananas Benefits for Weight Loss :
Bananas contain loads of fibre and low amounts of fat and they are also easily digestible. A banana of 100 grams contains approx. 90 calories.  And taking into consideration all its benefits it will not hurt including it into your diet. So dear weight watchers don’t eliminate banana from your diet completely.

21. Prevents Insomnia :
Bananas are rich in amino acids known as Tryptophan.  This substance triggers production of melatonin (sleep hormone) which induces sleep.  Eating banana a few hours before bedtime ensures a peaceful night’s sleep.

22. Reduces Inflammation Due to Mosquito Bites :
Itching and swelling caused by mosquito bites can be reduced by rubbing the inside of a banana on it.

23. Other Benefits of Bananas :
Bananas curbs morning sickness.  Snacking on bananas at regular intervals helps preventing it.
Vitamin B6, serotonin, tryptophan, dopamine, etc., in bananas help combat symptoms of PMS, erratic mood swings, and depression.

Skin Benefits Of Banana :
Banana fruit has nutrients that are essential for the skin. They contain significant amounts of vitamin C and B6 which plays vital role in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of the skin.
In addition, the large amount of antioxidants and manganese present in banana protect the body from damage caused by oxygen free radicals which lead to premature aging of the skin.

So a major benefit from banana is younger looking skin. Banana has about 75 per cent water by weight. Thus banana helps hydrate your skin and prevents it from drying and peeling.
Here are some benefits of banana for skin care :

24. Natural Moisturiser :
Banana is a great natural moisturiser for your skin. The Vitamin A present in banana restores the lost moisture and repairs the damaged, dull and dry skin. To instantly moisturise dry and dull skin, mash a ripe banana and apply it on your face. Avoid contact with eyes. Leave it on your skin for 20-25 minutes and then wash it away with lukewarm water. You will instantly have soft and supple skin.If you have extremely dry and flaky skin, you can also add honey to this face mask.This banana and honey mask also helps in getting rid of skin pigmentation.

26. Banana Skin Scrubs :
Banana is full of anti-oxidants; mixed with a few ingredients, it not only helps to get rid of dead skin but also leaves it feeling rejuvenated.

Here are some banana based scrubs that you make using ingredients available in your kitchen :
SCRUB 1 :
Take mashed banana and 1 tbsp. of sugar and mix them well. Apply it on your skin and rub it in circular motions. Banana will moisturise the dry skin while sugar granules will get rid of the dead skin.
SCRUB 2 :
Mash a ripe banana; add 2-3 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon milk. Apply it on your face and leave it 5 minutes, then slowly rub it on your skin. Wash with cold water. In case you have extremely dry skin, you can substitute milk with fresh cream.
SCRUB 3 :
Take half a ripe banana, 1 tbsp. coconut milk, 2 tbsp. uncooked rice, blend everything together to get a thick paste. Gently massage your face with this paste and wash with cold water afterwards.

SCRUB 4 :
To make a body scrub, mash 2 bananas with 4-5 strawberries using a blender. Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar and use it as a body scrub when you take a bath.

28. Foot Care :
The moisturizing property of banana can be used to get rid of cracked heels. All you need to do is mash the pulp of two ripe bananas and apply this pulp on clean, dry feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse the feet clean. The banana pulp will penetrate deep into dry, cracked skin to create soft and supple feet.

29. Goodbye Puffy Eyes :
Mash half a banana and apply generously around the puffy eyes. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinsing with cool water. The puffiness will vanish instantly. The potassium rich banana draws out excess fluid from under my skin and reduces the swelling immediately.

You can also apply the banana peels instead of mashed banana. This tip can also be used whenever you apply any face pack and think about putting cucumber slices on your eyes

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