It’s Friday and time for our weekly shoot-the-shit topic. This is the one time of the week when you the reader can make any unsupported comment, use uncensored profanity, insult anyone you wish or change the subject altogether; all at no charge to you. Our topics don’t necessarily reflect the sight’s theme but they do add to the reader’s knowledge base wherever possible, which is the reason we are avoiding election discussions. Can you believe the 2016 election process! I suppose things could be worse!
Instead we’d like to dismiss the myth that bananas are fattening and not good for you. There’s been considerable research done on the nutritional value of bananas that contradicts the assertion and clearly supports that bananas are actually very good for you.
The banana’s secret weapon is its fiber, potassium and Vitamin C; a medium sized banana delivers 450 mg of potassium.
Here are some of the many benefits
-
Blood Pressure – the potassium in bananas aids in vascular vasodilation ( dilation of blood vessels) reducing blood pressure.
-
Cancer – cancers are generally cause through the expression of a genetic predisposition. That gene may never be expressed. But if it is expressed it commonly results from the interaction of human cell with a free radical. A free radical is an ion that initiates a mutation in the cell, but rather than killing the cell, it cause the cancer gene to express itself. Bananas, as well as citrus fruits and juices, contribute vitamin C which acts to prevent the formation of free radicals. The fiber in a banana also functions to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
-
Heart Health – The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in bananas all support heart health. The recommended intake of potassium for an adult is 4700 mg
-
Preserving memory – Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that studies suggest plays a role in preserving memory and boosting your mood. So it’s a natural antidepressant.
The Banana Nutritional Profile
One serving of banana contains 110 calories, 30 grams of carbohydrate and 1 gram of protein. Bananas are naturally free of fat, cholesterol and sodium.2 The recommended intake of potassium for adults is 4700 milligrams per day.
Bananas provide a variety of vitamins and minerals:
-
Vitamin B6 – .5 mg
-
Manganese – .3 mg
-
Vitamin C – 9 mg
-
Potassium – 450 mg
-
Dietary Fiber – 3g
-
Protein – 1 g
-
Magnesium – 34 mg
-
Folate – 25.0 mcg
-
Riboflavin – .1 mg
-
Niacin – .8 mg
-
Vitamin A – 81 IU
-
Iron – .3 mg
So, there you have it – eat bananas!
Have a great weekend, rest up or do something exciting. In all cases spend some quality time with your buds and family and keep those sweat pumps in low speed, but stay engaged!
FOG HORN 