Bananas are one of the most popular fruits worldwide. They contain essential nutrients that can have a protective impact on health.
Blood pressure
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.
Cancer
Laboratory investigationsTrusted Source 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.
In 2004, researchers noted that children who consumed bananas, orange juice, or both appeared to have a lower risk of developing leukemia.
The study authors suggested that this could be due to the vitamin C content, as this, too, has antioxidant properties
Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association recommend eating bananas and other fruit as they contain fiber. They note that eating fiber can help lower blood sugar levels.
The author of a 2018 reviewTrusted Source concluded that eating a high fiber diet could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and may lower blood sugar in those who already have the disease.
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.
Bananas are also part of an approach known as the BRAT dietTrusted Source, which some doctors recommend for treating diarrhea. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
Diarrhea can lead to a loss of water and electrolytes, such as potassium. Bananas can replace these nutrients.
High fiber foods can trigger bloating, gas, and stomach cramps in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a 2012 studyTrusted Source. However, bananas may improve symptoms, the authors concluded.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America recommend banana as a snack food in their diet plan.
Preserving memory and boosting mood
Bananas containTrusted Source tryptophan, an amino acid that may help preserve memory, boost a person’s ability to learn and remember things, and regulate mood.
Potassium
Bananas are rich in the mineral potassium. Potassium helps maintainTrusted Source 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 milligramsTrusted Source (mg) of potassium.
It is best to try to get potassium from dietary sources, such as bananas. Otherwise, potassium supplements are available to purchase online.
