Top five benefits of eating bananas

The benefits of eating bananas are often overlooked.

"But bananas are fattening!" I hear this almost every day in my practice as a nutritionist. Sadly, the benefits of eating bananas are often overlooked. So, here are some good reasons why eating a banana a day might not be such a bad thing, after all!

Rich in Vitamin C

When you think of Vitamin C, oranges and strawberries might be the first fruits that come to mind. But a full serving of bananas provides a whopping 15 per cent of the daily requirement for this essential nutrient. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that neutralises harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are uncharged atoms, molecules or ions (the "bad guys") that are constantly destroying cells in your body. Vitamin C also aids in keeping blood vessels healthy and produces collagen that holds muscles, bones and other tissues together.

Fight anemia

Since bananas are high in iron, consuming them can stimulate production of haemoglobin in the blood and help fight anemia. Anemia is a condition where there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood, leading to fatigue, paleness and shortness of breath.

Moreover, Vitamin B6 present in banana regulates blood glucose levels, which can also help those suffering from anemia.

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